A sombre mood engulfed Bukavu on Monday as grieving parents, relatives and residents gathered to bury 27 pupils who died in a fire that swept through Ujamaa and Furaah primary schools last week.The burial service was held at the Royal Athenaeum Education Institution in Bukavu, where mourners gathered to bid farewell to the children killed in the September 10, 2026, tragedy.Some of the pupils died in a stampede as they tried to escape the flames, while others suffocated during the incident.The fire broke out along Funu B Avenue in Kasheke, Chimpunda district, in South Kivu province, and spread through the densely populated neighbourhood, destroying more than 500 houses and leaving hundreds of families homeless.M23 rebels lay wreaths on the coffinsThe Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship issued a statement on Thursday expressing condolences to the families of the pupils.The March 23 Movement/Alliance River Congo (M23/AFC) leadership also expressed condolences and declared three days of mourning following the tragedy.Senior M23/AFC officials, including Bertrand Bisimwa, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, Lawrence Kanyuka and Patrick Busu Bwa Ngwi Nshombo, attended the burial service.Authorities promise actionIn his eulogy, Nangaa said the authorities would take measures, including difficult ones, to prevent similar incidents from recurring in Bukavu schools.He said the M23/AFC administration had covered the funeral expenses and other costs associated with the burial.The remains of the victims were later laid to rest at Ruzizi Cemetery amid tears and grief from parents, relatives and other residents.The tragedy has left Bukavu communities mourning the loss of children while raising renewed concerns about safety in schools and densely populated neighbourhoods vulnerable to devastating fires.The post DRC: 27 pupils buried after deadly Bukavu school fire appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.