Fire in Kabukungu: A tragic night for the inhabitants of Kamituga
On the night of Wednesday July 5 to Thursday July 6, 2023, a devastating fire broke out in Kabukungu, in the mining town of Kamituga, in South Kivu. The flames destroyed at least 14 homes and numerous properties, causing significant casualties for residents of the community.
The testimonies collected on the spot show that the fire started around midnight, when most of the inhabitants were already asleep. The origin of the fire remains unknown, but the victims state that there was no electricity at the time, ruling out the possibility of a short circuit.
Unfortunately, firefighting services are sorely lacking in Kamituga, as in other towns in the province of South Kivu. Fire engines are almost non-existent, making extinguishing the flames even more difficult.
This is not the first time that Kamituga has been hit by fires. Recently, on July 1, another fire destroyed 8 houses, including the “Eloko” nightclub. The inhabitants are therefore faced with recurring situations, losing their property and their housing each time.
Faced with these tragedies, the victims are calling on the political and administrative authorities to come to their aid. These poor people, often traders at the Kabukungu market, need support to rebuild themselves and regain some stability in their daily lives.
There is an urgent need for action to prevent and fight fires in the region. The people of Kamituga deserve to be protected against this constant threat which deprives them of their property and their safety. Let’s hope that the authorities react quickly to provide an adequate response to this difficult situation