Catholic Church in Congo Mourns the Loss of 27 Children Killed in 2 School Fires - RIP

On September 10, 2026, a catastrophic fire engulfed two adjacent Catholic state-subsidized schools in the Cimpunda neighborhood of Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). [ 1]

The disaster resulted in 27 fatalities. Reports detail that a stampede broke out as students desperately tried to flee thick smoke and flames, while others suffocated after becoming trapped inside.

[ 1, 2, 3]

Key Details of the Incident

• The Schools: The blaze directly impacted Ujamaa Primary School and Furaha Secondary School, both affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu. [ 2]
• The Cause & Destruction: The fire originally ignited at a nearby house before rapidly spreading to the adjoining school buildings. It completely devastated the immediate area, reducing nearly 500 surrounding homes to rubble and leaving over 2,000 residents homeless. [1, 2
• The Victims: The victims included 19 girls and 8 boys (some sources note 21 children and 6 adults). Most of the children were highly active in local Catholic youth ministries, including the children's choir and pastoral groups like Kizito and Anuarite. Dozens of other students and teachers suffered severe injuries. [1, 3, 2]

Aftermath and Community Response
• Mass Funerals: A mass burial for the 27 victims took place on September 14, 2026, at the Ruzizi Cemetery. The funerals were attended by grieving families, humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross, and local authorities. [ 2, 3]
• Memorial Mass: On September 17, 2026, thousands of students and teachers gathered with candles at Our Lady of Mercy Parish. The memorial Mass was led by Father Patrice Mukata Bayongwa, the provincial coordinator of Catholic schools, who urged the community to maintain faith amidst overwhelming heartbreak. 
• Political Context & Outrage: The tragedy has heightened tensions in Bukavu, which is currently occupied by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Congolese Catholic bishops and local leaders publicly blamed the administrative authorities for failing to implement safety measures to prevent such disasters. The incident has also sparked widespread anxiety, as a string of other "mysterious" fires have simultaneously broken out across different sectors of the city.
• Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-09/drc-bukavu-puts-to-rest-27-victims-of-a-fire.html