The tragic collapse of the “La Merveille Omega” Institute building in Bukavu, South Kivu province, sent shock waves through the local community. The initial death toll of 10 has been revised downwards, with 4 confirmed dead and one injured. However, local authorities said everyone else believed to be dead or missing has been found safe and sound.
According to the mayor of the commune of Bagira, Patience Bengehya, this accident was caused by a construction defect linked to the presence of a septic tank inside the building. The masons working on the site managed to escape when the movement was felt, but they were trapped when the walls collapsed. Among the victims are the prefect of the secondary school, the director of the primary school, the educational advisers and a teacher candidate in a job interview.
The school authorities of the South Kivu 1 educational province went to the scene to assess the situation. This incident highlights the importance of following construction and safety standards to prevent such accidents.
In conclusion, this collapse of the building of the “La Merveille Omega” Institute in Bukavu is a tragedy that could have been avoided. It highlights gaps in compliance with building standards and highlights the need to strengthen infrastructure security to protect people’s lives