Deadly fire at wedding in DR Congo, 22 killed

Local officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have said at least 22 people were killed in a devastating fire at a wedding ceremony in the capital Kinshasa. Several others were injured in the incident and the death toll may rise further, according to the officials.

The fire broke out during a wedding ceremony at a building in the Lingwala area of the city on Friday night local time. The blaze spread rapidly, creating panic among the guests. Many got trapped while trying to exit through the narrow path of the building.

Norbert Mushinga, mayor of Lingwala commune, inspected the site and said the preliminary death toll stood at 22. Various items inside the building were also burnt in the fire. The injured are being treated at different hospitals in Kinshasa.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be known. However, electrical fault and the decorations of the event are being examined as possible causes. Authorities have started an investigation to determine the origin of the fire and the reason for the accident.

Jacquemain Shabani, the country’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, inspected the site and described the incident as tragic. Local authorities have also raised questions about the security arrangements at the venue and said steps would be taken to ensure safety at such places in the future.