Hundreds gather in eastern Congo to mourn victims of school fires
The fire injured 25 children and destroyed about 300 homes, while authorities and UNICEF called for an investigation into the cause.
- On Thursday, September 11, a fire engulfed Ujamaa Primary School in Bukavu, Congo, killing at least 26 children as students struggled to escape the wooden building during lessons.
- The fire began at a nearby house before spreading to two schools in the densely populated Kadutu commune, where wooden houses built on hillsides frequently catch fire.
- Teacher Alice Ambika Musafiri wept as she recalled the tragedy, stating, "My children, I had no way to save you. I lacked the strength," while at least 25 other children were injured.
- Hundreds gathered on Monday for a mass funeral in eastern Congo to mourn 27 young victims, as the Rwanda-backed M23 declared three days of mourning following the tragedy.
- Corneille Nangaa of the Rwanda-backed AFC pledged measures to protect children from future fires, while the region grapples with more than 100 armed groups vying for mineral wealth and Ebola outbreaks.
38 Articles
38 Articles
In the DRC, a final tribute was paid to the victims of a school fire on 10 September in Bukavu. The ceremony was attended by families and M23 officials who control the area. At least 26 children died in the tragedy, according to UNICEF.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 27 victims of last week's fire in Bukavu were buried on Monday 14 September at the Ruzizi cemetery, most of them children. Two school complexes and 500 houses had been ravaged. A funeral ceremony was organized in a school, in the presence of AFC/M23 authorities, including its coordinator Corneille Naanga, and the families of the victims. The emotion was very strong.
Associated Press News
Hundreds gather in eastern Congo to mourn victims of school fires
Hundreds of people gathered on Monday at a mass funeral in eastern Congo to mourn 27 young victims of a school fire, as families wept and officials laid down wreaths and made speeches.
Al Jazeera English on X: A mass funeral is being held in Bukavu, DR Congo, for 29 people killed in a school fire and subsequent stampede. Most of the victims were students. Al Jazeera's Alain Uaykani reports from DR Congo
نُشر هذا المقال أولاً عبر Cedarnews.net. لمتابعة المزيد من الأخبار والتقارير الحصرية، زورونا على موقعنا. Al Jazeera English on X: A mass funeral is being held in Bukavu, DR Congo, for 29 people killed in a school fire and subsequent stampede. Most of the victims. تم نشر هذا الخبر عبر موقع Cedarnews الإخباري. للاطلاع على مزيد من الأخبار العاجلة والتقارير الحصرية، زوروا موقعنا الرسمي.
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