The Congolese government announced on Thursday evening that more than 8,500 people have been killed since late January due to ongoing conflicts in Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is reportedly under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.
Health Minister Roger Kamba stated during a press conference that over 8,500 bodies have been buried, with approximately thirty still remaining in morgues in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. He referred to the violence perpetrated by M23 rebels in this urban center, which is home to around one million residents and over 700,000 displaced individuals.
The minister also reported that health facilities have recorded 5,597 injuries related to the conflict.
According to the United Nations, humanitarian operations in Goma—a crucial logistical hub for the region—are severely hampered, as the international airport remains closed.
In mid-February, a humanitarian corridor was established in the Goma area, enabling the World Health Organization (WHO) to transport essential supplies through Kenya and Rwanda.
The M23 rebellion has resulted in the capture of numerous towns and localities in eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.
On Thursday, at least eleven people were killed and 65 others injured due to multiple explosions in the heart of Bukavu, occurring shortly after a political meeting.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix has warned of the potential risk of the conflict spilling over into neighboring regions within the DRC.
