At least 22 people died in a fire that broke out during a wedding celebration in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials reported Saturday. The blaze began Friday night in a building located in Lingwala, a northern district of the city, and persisted into the early hours of Saturday.

Norbert Mushinga, the mayor of Lingwala, confirmed the preliminary death toll and indicated that the number of casualties could increase as rescue efforts continue. Multiple individuals were injured in the incident, and eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as party attendees attempted to assist survivors. Narrow hallways in the building compounded difficulties for those trying to flee the flames.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Jacquemin Shabani, the country’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, visited the location Saturday morning and characterized the event as a tragedy.

Fires are a recurring hazard in Kinshasa’s densely populated neighborhoods, where rapid urban growth has outpaced the development of essential infrastructure, including adequate fire response services. Local reports note an increase in such incidents during the dry season, with several fatal fires occurring in the city earlier this year. Authorities continue to assess the situation and have not provided further details on potential safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.