At least 22 killed in night fire at Kinshasa wedding venue
A blaze that broke out overnight at a wedding hall in Lingwala, Kinshasa, has left a provisional death toll of 22, with more injuries reported.
A night-time fire engulfed a wedding venue in Lingwala, a northern district of Kinshasa, killing at least 22 people and injuring others. Local mayor Norbert Mushinga reported the provisional death toll, warning it may increase as rescue efforts continue. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani inspected the site on Saturday morning, describing the event as a tragedy.
Witnesses said cramped hallways blocked escape routes, forcing bystanders to pull victims from the flames along the street. Authorities have not yet identified the fire's origin. The disaster adds to a pattern of frequent blazes in Kinshasa's densely populated areas, especially during the dry season, and occurs while the country battles a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak.
Why it matters
The fire highlights safety gaps in Kinshasa's crowded urban venues amid an ongoing Ebola crisis.
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