A violent attack on a Catholic church in eastern Congo on Sunday claimed the lives of at least 34 individuals, as reported by local civil society leaders. The assault occurred around 1 a.m. in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri Province, and is believed to have been conducted by rebels affiliated with the Islamic State.
Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komanda, provided details to The Associated Press, stating that the attackers stormed the church, which also led to the destruction of several nearby houses and shops. “The bodies of the victims are still at the scene of the tragedy, and volunteers are preparing how to bury them in a mass grave that we are preparing in a compound of the Catholic church,” Duranthabo said.
Video footage circulating online depicts the aftermath of the attack, showing burning buildings and lifeless bodies within the church. Eyewitnesses expressed their grief, with some identifying the victims amid the chaos. In a separate incident, at least five more individuals lost their lives in an earlier assault on the village of Machongani, where local leader Lossa Dhekana reported that several people were abducted by the attackers.
Both attacks are attributed to members of the Allied Democratic Forces, who reportedly used firearms and machetes in their onslaught. Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, a spokesperson for the Congolese army in Ituri, confirmed that at least 10 people were killed in the church attack. Meanwhile, U.N.-backed Radio Okapi reported a higher death toll of 43, citing security sources.
The assailants are believed to have originated from a stronghold approximately 7 miles from Komanda. They fled the scene before security forces could respond. Duranthabo urged for immediate military intervention, warning that “the enemy is still near our town.”
The violence in Ituri Province has raised alarms about the ongoing security situation, as local communities grapple with the threat posed by armed groups. The Congolese government faces mounting pressure to bolster security measures to protect civilians from such brutal attacks. The recent events highlight the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the instability in the region and safeguard the lives of those affected.
The situation remains fluid, with local leaders and residents calling for support as they seek to recover from the tragedy.