Fire at Kinshasa wedding kills 22

Kinshasa authorities have opened a formal investigation after a fire broke out at a wedding reception, killing 22 people and injuring several others. The blaze erupted in a venue hosting the celebration in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting an emergency response that included fire services, police and medical teams. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire spread rapidly through the crowded hall, but officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.

Investigators are examining the venue’s safety compliance, including electrical installations and fire‑prevention measures, while forensic teams work to identify the victims. The police have urged witnesses to come forward and have pledged to release findings as the inquiry progresses. The incident has raised renewed concerns about public‑event safety standards in Kinshasa, and authorities have pledged to implement any necessary corrective actions pending the investigation’s outcome.