DRC government lowers wedding-fire death toll to 12

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reduced the confirmed death toll from a fire at a wedding celebration in Kinshasa to 12, after local authorities initially reported 22 deaths. The victims include seven women and five men, according to the Ministry of Communication and Media.

Five people remain hospitalized. Another 21 were stabilized and discharged for outpatient monitoring over the next 48 hours. Authorities are still working to identify the bodies, while the government offered its condolences to the victims’ families.

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Five people remain hospitalized, while another 21, after being stabilized, have been discharged for outpatient monitoring over the next 48 hours.

The fire broke out Friday night during a celebration at the Panacée party hall, located on the first floor of a commercial building on Kinshasa’s Triomphal Boulevard. The venue’s conditions complicated the evacuation. It had only one exit, which appeared too narrow to allow a large number of people to leave at the same time, according to Norbert Mushiga Nzindula, mayor of the Lingwala district.

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Apparently, too narrow to allow a large number of people to be evacuated at once.

In response to the “tragedy,” the government ordered all provincial governors to carry out immediate, systematic inspections of party halls and other venues used for public gatherings and leisure activities. It ordered the immediate closure of any establishment that fails to meet safety standards and demanded strict enforcement of the measures. Kinshasa authorities are expected to submit an implementation report within 15 days.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances and causes of the fire, as well as any resulting responsibilities. Images published by Congolese media showed the venue ablaze, the building’s facade blackened and its interior damaged, with chairs and round tables visible inside.

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The government has ordered the immediate closure of any establishment that does not comply with safety standards and has demanded strict enforcement of these measures.