At least 22 people have died after a fire broke out during a wedding celebration in Kinshasa, Congo, turning a night of celebration into a devastating tragedy.
The fire began Friday night at a party hall in Lingwala, a neighborhood in northern Kinshasa, and continued into the early hours of Saturday. Several other people were injured and taken to local hospitals.
The building was crowded when the flames spread, and narrow hallways made it difficult for people to escape. As panic swept through the gathering, attendees tried to help those trapped inside. Some victims were carried outside and placed along the roadside as people attempted to assist the injured.
Norbert Mushinga, the mayor of Lingwala, said the current death toll of 22 is provisional and could rise as authorities continue assessing the situation.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Preliminary reports have pointed to a possible electrical malfunction or problems involving wedding decorations, but officials have not confirmed either explanation. Investigators are continuing to examine what caused the blaze.
Among those killed was reportedly Guy Kitoko Aloma, a cameraman who worked for Congo’s national radio and television broadcaster, RTNC.
Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani visited the scene and described the incident as a tragedy.
The deadly fire has also renewed concerns about fire safety in densely populated areas of Kinshasa, where emergency and fire-protection infrastructure can be limited. Officials are continuing to investigate as families await further information about those affected.