A tragic fire in the Kadutu commune of Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has claimed the lives of at least 24 schoolchildren. The victims perished in a stampede as they attempted to escape the flames that consumed two schools in the area.
Local authorities appointed by the M23 rebels, who have controlled the city since February of last year, confirmed the provisional death toll on Thursday. Reports indicate that adults also lost their lives in the blaze, and officials fear the number of casualties may increase. In addition to the schools, approximately 300 homes were destroyed in the densely populated hillside city.
Survivors are currently receiving medical treatment at local hospitals. While the specific cause of the fire remains under investigation, witnesses reported that although the flames were extinguished by the afternoon, smoke continued to emanate from the debris of corrugated metal and rubble.
The national government in Kinshasa issued a statement expressing "deep sorrow" over the incident. The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship has pledged to support the affected families and is conducting assessments to determine how to maintain educational continuity for the students. This disaster follows a separate incident in Kinshasa last weekend, where a stampede at a wedding banquet hall resulted in multiple fatalities, prompting the government to mandate stricter safety enforcement at public venues nationwide.
Source: BBC News
មិនទាន់មានមតិយោបល់នៅឡើយទេ។ សូមធ្វើជាអ្នកដំបូងដែលចែករំលែកគំនិតរបស់អ្នក។