School Fire in Bukavu Kills at Least 17, Including Children

At least 17 people, including children, have died after a fire broke out at a school in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo controlled by Rwanda backed AFC M23 rebels.

A witness told Reuters that he helped load the bodies of 17 men and children into an ambulance. A local health centre reported receiving 10 bodies, while another hospital said more than 50 students were admitted, with 14 later dying.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Bukavu has been under AFC M23 control since the rebel group captured the city during a major offensive in eastern Congo last year.

AFC M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa said the group was still confirming the number of deaths but estimated the toll at about 10.