by Gu Xuejia
At least 47 people including 4 children are now confirmed dead as a result of fighting between armed rebel groups and traders in the Central African Republic’s capital city, Bangui.
At least another 70 people were hurt.
Representatives from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) say the fighting started on December 24 in the extremely restive PK5 zone in Bangui.
The violence intensified early Thursday morning.
MINSUCA says 40-50 shops, as well as dozens of houses, were burned in the fighting Voluntary firefighters tried to put out keep the fires under control but were unable to tackle a blaze at two houses because of heavy gunfire.
MINUSCA Force and UNPOL has cordoned all the routes leading to PK5 market and has increased patrols in the area.
The latest toll indicates that 21 traders and civilians died. The number of armed elements killed is somewhere between 26 – 28.
