A fire broke out on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at Mavivi Airport, located in the Beni region. The flames engulfed a large part of the administrative facilities before the emergency services arrived. According to initial information gathered at the scene, a wooden building housing several airport service offices was completely destroyed. Although no official statement has yet been made by airport or local authorities, multiple sources point to a domestic cause. The fire is believed to have been caused by the improper use of a gas stove in the restaurant located directly opposite the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) office. The flammable structure of the building allowed the flames to spread rapidly, rendering the situation uncontrollable within minutes. The intervention of MONUSCO fire trucks was decisive in limiting the spread of the blaze to other critical airport infrastructure. Thanks to their deployment, the fire was contained, thus avoiding even greater material damage. At present, the exact extent of the material damage and lost documents remains to be determined. No loss of life has been reported so far, but there are fears that some administrative services may be temporarily suspended. The competent authorities are expected to issue an official statement to clarify the exact circumstances of this tragedy and assess its impact on airport operations in this part of North Kivu province. Written by Azarias Mokonzi

Urgent: Fire at Beni-Mavivi Airport, Several service offices destroyed

A fire broke out on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at Mavivi Airport, located in the Beni region. The flames engulfed a large part of the administrative facilities before the emergency services arrived.

According to initial information gathered at the scene, a wooden building housing several airport service offices was completely destroyed. Although no official statement has yet been made by airport or local authorities, multiple sources point to a domestic cause.

The fire is believed to have been caused by the improper use of a gas stove in the restaurant located directly opposite the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) office. The flammable structure of the building allowed the flames to spread rapidly, rendering the situation uncontrollable within minutes.

The intervention of MONUSCO fire trucks was decisive in limiting the spread of the blaze to other critical airport infrastructure. Thanks to their deployment, the fire was contained, thus avoiding even greater material damage.

At present, the exact extent of the material damage and lost documents remains to be determined. No loss of life has been reported so far, but there are fears that some administrative services may be temporarily suspended.

The competent authorities are expected to issue an official statement to clarify the exact circumstances of this tragedy and assess its impact on airport operations in this part of North Kivu province.

Written by Azarias Mokonzi