At least 26 children were killed and 25 others injured in a fire that broke out at two primary schools in Bukavu, South Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Saturday.
The fire occurred on Thursday at around 9 a.m. while the children were attending classes, according to the UNICEF.
The blaze affected homes and two primary schools in the Furaha and Ujamaa areas, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries among children, the UN agency said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and express our solidarity with the children, families, and communities affected by this tragedy,” UNICEF said in a statement.
The injured children are receiving medical care, while UNICEF and its partners are providing support to those affected by the fire.
UNICEF warned that the consequences for children could extend beyond the immediate loss of life and destruction of homes and schools, particularly given the psychological distress caused by the incident.
The agency noted that the tragedy occurred in an already volatile environment marked by armed conflict and insecurity, potentially compounding the emotional and psychological impact on affected children.
UNICEF said it is working with partners to provide mental health and psychosocial support to children, students and other affected community members.
The agency is also supporting access to education to help affected students continue the school year despite the disruption caused by the fire.
UNICEF added that 11 children who had been separated from their parents following the incident had been reunited with their families.
