At least 26 children have died after a fire and stampede at a primary school in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to UNICEF.
The blaze broke out during lessons at Ujamaa primary school, prompting some pupils to jump from upper floors while others rushed toward exits. Education officials said some children were trampled during the evacuation and others suffered from smoke inhalation.
UNICEF said another 25 children were injured. Local authorities and the Congolese education ministry have called for an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The tragedy has intensified concern about recurring fires in Bukavu, where densely built neighbourhoods and limited firefighting capacity can increase the danger when blazes break out.
Source: Africanews.
