At least 17 people including twelve rangers were killed in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said, in one of the deadliest attack in the park’s recent history. The park blamed members of a Rwandan rebel group for the attack.
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the restive Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and spread over 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 square miles) over the borders of DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.. It’s known as Africas oldest and most biologically diverse protected area and a popular tourist attraction, home to a world-famous population of mountain gorillas but has been hit by rising instability and violence.
Government official Cosma Wilungula said Friday’s attack was the worst massacre in recent history.He said about 60 militiamen had ambushed a convoy of civilians that was being protected by the rangers adding that civilians were the apparent target of the attack.The guards were killed while coming to help the civilian vehicle.
The park was closed in March in line with WHO guidelines as the directives suggested that primates might be vulnerable to complications arising from Covid-19. Authorities hoped to resume tourist operation on 1st June but with the most recent incident, it is very unlikely.
