A fire ripped through two schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 26 pupils and leaving many more injured, according to local authorities.
Emergency services said crews were at the scene and have begun an investigation into the blaze’s cause.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene outside the campuses as students fled and families gathered, while police kept crowds back from the site.
The disaster has raised concerns about fire safety and school infrastructure in the region, though officials have not yet released a formal assessment.
The education ministry said it was mourning the tragedy and would provide assistance to the families of those affected.
Aid organisations urged authorities to support survivors and to review safety protocols at schools across the country.
At this stage, details such as the exact locations of the two schools and the ages of some victims have not been confirmed.
More updates are expected as officials release information.
