School fire in rebel-controlled Bukavu kills at least 17 people
At least 17 people, including children, were killed and more than 50 students were taken to hospital after a fire at a school in Bukavu, eastern Congo.
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. A fire at a school in the rebel-controlled city of Bukavu killed at least 17 people, including children, local and medical sources said on Thursday. More than 50 students were admitted to hospital, with one hospital reporting that 14 later died.
Casualties reported
A witness told Reuters he helped load 17 bodies of men and children into an ambulance.
A local health centre said it received 10 bodies of people killed in the fire. Another hospital said it admitted more than 50 students.
Cause not yet known
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the rebel alliance, told Reuters he did not yet have an exact figure but estimated the death toll at around 10.
Rebel control
Bukavu has been controlled by Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels since the group launched a lightning offensive in eastern Congo last year.
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