At least 20 students died and many other people were seriously injured in a fire that broke out on Thursday, September 10, on Avenue Funu B in Kasheke, Chimpunda, in the city of Bukavu, South Kivu, according to provisional figures released by local officials.
The victims included students from Ujamaa and Furaah schools. Witnesses said some of the students died in a stampede as they tried to flee the fire.
Other victims, especially students, suffered burns and were taken to health centers for treatment. Witnesses at the scene said dozens of students were admitted to hospitals in Bukavu.
Local authorities said the death toll was provisional and could change as more information becomes available. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
