More than 20 children killed in DR Congo school fire

Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals, and footage of the scene shows children lying on hospital floors in pain. Rebel‑appointed authorities released a provisional death toll of 24 on Thursday evening, confirming previous reports, but there are fears that more people may have died. Meanwhile the government in Kinshasa released a statement on X, without specifying numbers of casualties. The tragedy follows a similar fire in Kinshasa last weekend, where residents died in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall. In response, the government has ordered strict safety measures and deployed teams nationwide to enforce standards at public gathering places.

Source: BBC India/World September 10, 2026 19:16 UTC