At least 24 students have died after a devastating fire swept through two nearby schools, sending children into a desperate and chaotic attempt to escape.
The blaze broke out on Sept. 10 and spread to Furaha Secondary School and Ujamaa Primary School. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as authorities continue assessing the destruction and searching the area. Dozens of other people were injured.
The fire reportedly began in a nearby house before spreading rapidly to the schools. According to a local administrator who spoke to the Associated Press, some students became trapped inside the secondary school as smoke filled the building.
The escape quickly turned chaotic. The exits were too narrow to handle the number of students trying to get out at once, leading some to jump through windows while others rushed toward the doors. Officials said students were pushed over and trampled during the rush. Some also suffocated inside the building.
The flames caused destruction far beyond the schools. Around 300 wooden homes in the surrounding area were also destroyed, leaving many families without shelter. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The tragedy occurred in an area already facing severe challenges. The city where the fire happened has been under the control of M23 rebels since February, while the wider region is also dealing with a serious Ebola outbreak.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the fire and assess the full number of victims. As families mourn, officials have warned that the death toll could still increase.