BUKAVU, Congo (AP) — A fire swept through two adjacent schools Thursday in Bukavu in eastern Congo, killing at least 24 students and injuring dozens, the rebel administration that controls the city and local officials said. The spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Lawrence Kanyuka, said 19 girls and five boys were killed, adding that 29 people were being treated at local medical facilities. The fire started at a house before spreading to the two adjoining schools, local neighbourhood administrator Moïse Lubala told The Associated Press.

Residents in the rebel-controlled city of Bukavu have been reeling in the aftermath of a fire that tore through two schools and proved deadly.

A fire at a school in Congo's rebel-controlled city of Bukavu has killed at least 17 people, including children.