An official in the rebel administration in the city of Bukavu, which is under their control in eastern Congo, told Reuters on Thursday that a fire claimed the lives of 24 children, destroyed two schools, and consumed about 300 wooden houses.
Donya Masumbuko Buengi, deputy governor of the South Kivu province where Bukavu is located, stated that the victims were 19 girls and five boys. Buengi works in the government appointed by the "Congo River Alliance/M23 Movement," a rebel group backed by Rwanda.
The rebels seized Bukavu during a lightning advance across eastern Congo early last year.
Residents and health workers stated that the final death toll could rise.
A witness told Reuters that he helped transport the bodies of 17 men and children to an ambulance.
A local health center announced that it had received 10 bodies of fire victims. Another hospital stated that it had received more than 50 students, 14 of whom died.
