Bukavu School Fire Claims 24 Lives | Belfast News

0:00It's September 10th. This is Belfast News today, your AI-powered local news. At least 24 students lost their lives in a devastating fire that ripped through Bukavu in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebel administration controlling the city confirmed that 19 girls and five boys were among the victims. 29 others are currently receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during the blaze. The fire reportedly began in a residential house before engulfing two adjacent schools. Many students were trapped inside, with some succumbing to smoke inhalation. The chaos of the escape lets the students being trampled as they desperately tried to get out through a narrow exit or by jumping from windows. The affected students were from both Faraha, Secondary School, and Ujrahma, Primary School. Medical staff at a local health center were overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured, making it difficult to keep an exact count. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the area is known for its dense population

1:01and predominantly wooden structures. This tragedy unfolds in a region already facing immense challenges. Eastern DR Congo is home to numerous armed groups vying for control of valuable mineral resources, and the area is also grappling with a severe Ebola. Outbreak that has claimed thousands of lives. The N23 rebels who took control of Bukavu earlier this year have been the ones to release the details of this incident. The ongoing instability and strain on health services in the region make responding to such disasters incredibly difficult.