Mass funeral held in Bukavu for 26 children killed in school fire

Bukavu hosted a mass funeral on Monday, 14 September, for 26 children who died in a school fire and the ensuing stampede three days earlier. The ceremony, attended by grieving families, community leaders and humanitarian representatives, marked the somber culmination of an incident that shocked the region and left dozens of survivors with severe injuries. Authorities confirmed that the blaze broke out during school hours, prompting a chaotic evacuation that spiraled into a deadly crush at the exit points.

In the wake of the tragedy, UNICEF and local officials have jointly called for a thorough investigation to determine the fire’s origin, assess safety protocols, and identify any negligence that contributed to the high casualty count. Both parties emphasized the need for immediate reforms to school infrastructure and emergency response procedures to prevent similar disasters. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities pledging to release findings and recommendations in the coming weeks.