Fire at Cimpunda Schools Kills at Least 26 Children in M23-Held Bukavu

A fire spreading from a residential house into the Furaha and Ujamaa primary schools in Bukavu's Cimpunda neighborhood triggered a fatal student stampede on Sept 10. UNICEF confirmed 26 children dead and 25 injured; South Kivu's provincial government gave a provisional toll as high as 29 and accused the AFC/M23 administration of prioritizing tax collection over civil protection. About 50 homes were destroyed, and Bukavu's fire service needed help from Rwanda's brigade to contain the blaze.