Par Janvier BARHAHIGA
Four people were killed and five others injured after an explosive device detonated on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Kichacha village, Kamanyola, Uvira Territory, in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a local source contacted by BKINFOS.CD, the explosion occurred after a bushfire reached an explosive device reportedly abandoned in the vegetation.
“Upstream from the Kasenyi military camp, where Burundian soldiers were stationed before the M23 takeover of Kamanyola, a forgotten bomb exploded. The fire spread through the vegetation and reached the explosives, causing the blast. People who were nearby were injured, and four were killed,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The reported death toll is four people killed and five injured.
The same source said the device may have been left behind by Burundian soldiers who previously occupied the area. This claim could not be independently verified.
The incident occurred during the dry season, when bushfires are common in several rural areas of South Kivu.
The possible presence of other explosive remnants in the area has not been established. Local authorities and specialized services are being urged to secure the site and assess whether other unexploded devices may pose a threat to residents.
The exact circumstances of the explosion and the type of explosive device involved remain unclear.
