At least 22 people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out early Saturday at a wedding venue in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a local official.

The blaze erupted while a wedding ceremony was underway at a reception hall in the Lingwala commune, sending panic through the venue as flames rapidly spread through the building.

Norbert Mushinga, head of the Lingwala commune, said the provisional death toll had reached 22 but warned that the number could rise as emergency teams continued their work at the scene.

“The provisional death toll stands at 22 and could rise,” Mushinga told reporters.

Several people injured in the fire were rushed to hospitals across Kinshasa for medical treatment. The blaze also destroyed property and belongings inside the building, according to local authorities.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the blaze started, with officials examining several possible factors, including an electrical malfunction and materials used to decorate the wedding venue.

The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration, as families and emergency workers await further information about those who lost their lives and those still receiving treatment.

Authorities are expected to provide additional details as the investigation progresses and the full extent of the casualties and damage becomes clearer. (ILKHA)