Fire in Mambasa Kills One, Destroys Over 50 Businesses

Kinshasa, December 8, 2025 - A devastating fire broke out on the night of December 12, 2025, ravaging the commercial center of Mambasa, located about 165 km southwest of Bunia. The incident left one dead and destroyed approximately fifty businesses, including restaurants, food warehouses, and homes.

According to local sources, the fire originated at the Pygmées Hotel around 1:00 a.m. and rapidly spread to neighboring buildings, fueled by wooden structures and a lack of effective firefighting equipment. Residents, who gathered in large numbers, were largely helpless as the flames consumed food and goods intended for festivities, effectively paralyzing local economic activity.

It was not until dawn that construction equipment was deployed to slow the fire's advance toward the "Zala na Mbango" market. Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze.