Adults are also reported to have died in the fire and there are fears that the death toll could rise further in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
At least 29 students were killed and dozens more injured in a fire that engulfed two neighboring schools in the city of Bukavu in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Associated Press reports this, citing the authorities of South Kivu province, UNN writes.
Among those killed were 19 girls and 10 boys. Authorities warn that the death toll may rise.
The incident took place at Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools at around 8 am local time in Chimpunda district, South Kivu’s provincial capital Bukavu, according to UN Radio Okapi.
“Some of the students died in a stampede while trying to flee the flames,” the report said, citing local authorities.
Several other people who suffered burns and smoke inhalation were reportedly admitted in critical condition at nearby health facilities.
The fire is said to have started from a nearby building before spreading to the schools.
Bukavu is currently under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group.
Local media said the blaze also ravaged nearly 500 homes and a clinic.
It added that the death toll remained provisional, and the cause of the fires was yet to be established.
The incident comes days after 22 people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at a wedding venue in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.
According to preliminary data, the fire broke out in a residential building, after which the flames spread to the nearby schools. Local administrator Moise Lubala told AP that some students were trapped inside the building.
According to Lubala, several students were unable to escape from the Furaha secondary school, and some of them suffocated.Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the M23 group, which controls Bukavu, had earlier reported that 24 students had been killed and 29 people taken to local medical facilities.
Nurse Siza Jean-Baptiste told AP that boys and girls of various ages from the Furaha and Ujamaa schools were brought to the BDOM Nyamlagira medical center. The children were wearing school uniforms when they were admitted.