At least 26 children have died after a fire triggered a stampede at two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The fire broke out at about 9am on Thursday while students were in class, forcing them to scramble for safety. UNICEF confirmed that 25 other children were injured in the incident.
The blaze affected homes and two schools in the Furaha and Ujamaa areas of Bukavu. Reports said some students were trapped inside the buildings, while others attempted to escape through windows as panic spread.
The South Kivu provincial government said the victims included 19 girls and seven boys, while warning that the death toll could still rise.
The fire reportedly started in a residential building before spreading to the neighbouring schools in the densely populated area. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, has experienced several deadly fires in recent years, partly due to densely packed wooden structures and limited firefighting capacity.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief across the region. The M23 authorities controlling Bukavu declared three days of mourning, while funeral rites for the victims are expected to take place on Saturday.
UNICEF said it was providing mental health and psychosocial support to affected children, families and communities, while also helping students affected by the disaster continue their education.
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