Two people were killed and another seriously injured on Thursday in Kamanyola, in the Walungu territory of South Kivu, after an abandoned explosive device detonated, triggered by a bush fire.
The detonation spread flames spread through the brush, striking people who were near the scene of the incident and killing two, according to local sources cited by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).
Among the victims was a young girl identified as Laheri. A second person, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, also died in the explosion.
A mother was seriously injured and evacuated to a health facility to receive treatment.
The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by abandoned explosive devices in this part of South Kivu, particularly in agricultural areas frequented by local residents.
According to community leader Bienvenu Shukuru, several explosive devices were reportedly abandoned during clashes in the area in February 2025. Despite the search and clearance operations conducted since then, certain areas – particularly farm fields – remain inadequately secured.
The explosion caused panic in the village of Kashenyi, located near the site of the incident, and reignited residents’ fears, particularly among farmers who face the daily risk of encountering unexploded ordnance.
Kamanyola had already experienced a similar incident. In December 2025, a bomb explosion killed two people in this town in the Walungu territory.
DM/te/Sf/fss/as/APA