Victims of a deadly fire and stampede at a school in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have been laid to rest as grieving relatives and residents gathered to pay their final respects.
The coffins were taken to Ruzizi Cemetery, where mourners attended the burial ceremony. Members of the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group and Red Cross workers were also present as families said goodbye to those who lost their lives.
The tragedy has left communities in Bukavu struggling with grief and growing concerns about the city’s ability to respond to fires and other emergencies.
Noella Bashonga, a resident of Kasha, said residents were overwhelmed by the repeated disasters affecting their communities and appealed to authorities to provide greater support.
“We, the residents of Bukavu, are saddened. We are grieving, and the difficulties are overwhelming us,” she said, urging authorities in Kinshasa and elsewhere to remember the suffering of people in Bukavu.
Bashonga also raised concerns about the approaching rainy season, warning that poorly protected homes could face further destruction from heavy rains.
UNICEF said at least 26 children were killed in the fire and the stampede that followed on September 10.
The deaths have also prompted calls for better urban planning and improved emergency access in Bukavu.
David Rukabo, another resident, said the tragedy should encourage authorities and residents to reconsider how buildings are constructed across the city.
He said roads and spaces should be designed to allow fire engines to reach burning buildings quickly, while residents should also ensure that their construction does not block emergency vehicles.
“This would make the authorities’ task easier,” Rukabo said.
Among those who died was Celestine, the eldest of three children. A relative said the young girl had already lost her father and had become an important member of her family.
“Celestine was an orphan because her father had died a long time ago. She was the eldest in the family. And now she’s gone too,” said Vinciane Inshobole, a relative.
Her death has added to the grief of a family already dealing with the loss of her father.
The exact circumstances that led to the fire and the subsequent stampede remain unclear. Questions surrounding what caused the blaze and how the deaths occurred are expected to remain a major concern as authorities examine the tragedy.
For families and residents in Bukavu, the burial marked a painful farewell to the children while also highlighting wider concerns over fire safety, emergency response and the condition of the city’s infrastructure.
