At least 24 pupils have been killed in a stampede while attempting to escape a devastating blaze that swept through two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), local authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred in the densely populated Kadutu commune, where several adults are also believed to have lost their lives.
Officials warned that the number of fatalities could increase as rescue workers continue examining the affected area.
Many injured victims have been transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Images from the aftermath reportedly showed children receiving care on hospital floors, with some suffering serious injuries.
The inferno also destroyed about 300 homes, leaving numerous residents without shelter.
Authorities have not yet established what triggered the outbreak.
Rebel-installed officials announced the provisional casualty figure on Thursday evening, corroborating earlier reports of the tragedy.
However, the full scale of the disaster remains unclear.
A witness cited by Reuters said firefighters had brought the flames under control by the afternoon, although smoke continued to emerge from piles of debris and twisted sheets of corrugated metal.
Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, is among DR Congo’s most densely settled cities and is built across steep hills.
M23 rebels seized control of the city in February last year.
In Kinshasa, the national government expressed grief over the incident but did not disclose a specific casualty figure.
The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship said several people had died and many others sustained injuries.
The ministry extended condolences to bereaved families and directed officials to inspect the damaged institutions while making arrangements for affected students to resume their education.
The disaster comes days after another fatal incident in the capital, where people reportedly died during a rush to escape a wedding reception venue fire.
Following the recent emergencies, authorities have ordered tougher safety regulations and sent inspection teams across the country to ensure public venues meet required standards.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong