At Least 22 Killed After Fire Tears Through Wedding Party in DR Congo

A wedding celebration in the Democratic Republic of Congo ended in tragedy after a fire ripped through a crowded reception venue in the capital, Kinshasa, killing at least 22 people and injuring several others, authorities have confirmed.

The blaze broke out late Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday at a building in the Lingwala district, where hundreds of guests had gathered to celebrate the wedding. Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the venue, sending guests scrambling for exits in smoke-filled corridors.

Local officials said the death toll remains provisional and could rise as some of the injured continue receiving treatment in hospital. Norbert Mushinga, the mayor of Lingwala, confirmed that rescue teams recovered victims throughout the night, while bystanders and emergency workers carried survivors from the burning building to nearby roadsides for urgent medical assistance.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Investigators are examining the scene, with early reports suggesting the possibility of an electrical fault or malfunction involving decorative installations used for the celebration. Authorities have stressed that no official conclusion has been reached and that the investigation is ongoing.

Among those who died was a cameraman employed by the Congolese National Radio and Television (RTNC), highlighting the broad cross-section of families and professionals caught up in the disaster. The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Jacquemin Shabani, visited the site and described the incident as a national tragedy, pledging that authorities would establish the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

The fire has once again drawn attention to persistent safety concerns in Kinshasa, a city of more than 17 million people where rapid urban growth has often outpaced infrastructure and emergency preparedness. Fires in densely populated neighbourhoods are not uncommon, particularly during the dry season, when aging electrical systems and limited access for fire services can turn small incidents into deadly disasters.

As mourning families await answers, the tragedy has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of building and fire safety standards at public event venues across the country. Beyond the heartbreaking loss of life, the disaster serves as a painful reminder that celebrations can quickly become catastrophes when basic safety measures fail to keep pace with urban development.