A total of 38 people died in ethnic violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo at the weekend, many massacred when a church was set ablaze, the government said earlier today.
The killings took place overnight Friday in Mutarule, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Bukavu, the capital of Sud-Kivu province.
Earlier, local sources said the toll was at least 30 men, women and children, and that most of the victims were ethnic Bafuliru.
The violence was sparked by the theft of livestock which resulted in retaliation “that led to carnage, causing the deaths of 38 people,” said an official statement issued after an extraordinary meeting of government ministers.
“Fifteen of the victims of this massacre by an armed group were burnt alive in a fire… lit deliberately by unidentified assailants in a church. The government strongly condemns this crime and does not intend to let it go unpunished,” the statement continued.
Local sources said Saturday that 14 women, 10 children and a soldier were among the victims.
