newspop
School Turns Into Death Trap : 19 Girls, 7 Boys Among 26 Killed in Horrific Congo School Fire
New Delhi : A devastating fire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of at least 26 students, including 19 girls and seven boys, after flames engulfed two schools in the city of Bukavu on Thursday, triggering panic, chaos and a desperate scramble for survival.
According to provincial authorities, the fire initially broke out at a nearby house before rapidly spreading to the adjacent Furaha Secondary School and Uzama Primary School, which are located close to each other in a densely populated area where many homes are made of wood. Several students were trapped inside Furaha Secondary School as thick smoke and rapidly spreading flames cut off escape routes, with some reportedly dying from smoke inhalation.
As terrified children rushed towards the narrow main exit, others attempted to escape through windows, while the crush reportedly caused several students to fall and be trampled in the ensuing panic. Injured students were rushed to nearby health centres, where medical staff struggled to keep track of the large number of casualties and provide treatment. Local authorities said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, while rescue and medical operations are continuing and the death toll could rise further.
The tragedy has unfolded in an already volatile part of the country, as Bukavu remains under the control of the M23 rebel group, which had earlier reported 24 deaths and 29 people receiving medical treatment before provincial authorities revised the confirmed death toll to 26.
Eastern Congo has faced prolonged armed conflict and insecurity, placing additional pressure on already strained healthcare services. The horrifying incident has left families and the local community mourning as authorities continue efforts to assist the injured, recover victims and determine how the deadly blaze spread so quickly.
