The United Nations refugee agency has called upon the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to protect refugees and asylum seekers after Congolese soldiers shot and killed at least 39 Burundian protesters.
The UNHCR said that the dead included men, women and one child. One Congolese soldier was also killed, with six others wounded.
Congolese authorities said they would launch an investigation into Friday’s shootings, which the agency reported to have started with a peaceful protest over the detention of some Burundian refugees who feared deportation.
“This is a devastating tragedy. It should never have happened,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.
He welcomed the announcement from Congolese officials to launch an inquiry into the incident and called for it to be detailed.
“We need to establish facts and determine responsibility and make sure that such an incident never happens again.”
UNHCR said it had deployed a team to the area to collaborate with medical staff of a partner organization in local hospitals to provide life-saving medical assistance to the injured.
57 people that sustained critical injuries were evacuated to Goma and the nearest city of Bukavu, while 37 others are being treated in Kamanyola.
