On Tuesday morning, an explosion in Goma, East Congo, killed a child and injured 32 Indian peacekeepers said the UN mission in the country. According to the UN mission, the Indian peacekeepers were out on a morning run in the western Goma neighbourhood of Keyshero. Exactly what the cause of the explosion as is still not clear.
Army sources have told ANI that two soldiers had gone through surgery but are not in critical condition while 30 have suffered minor injuries. They were reportedly moving about on administrative duties when the blast took place.
Ismael Salumu, an imam at a nearby mosque, told Reuters that three peacekeepers were killed. "We just heard the explosion and the cries. We then ran over to see," he told Reuters.
There are nearly 18000 UN personnel who work in Congo. Millions of people have died in the country between 1996 and 2003 because of regional conflicts. There are many militia groups that continue to operate in the region.
United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo since July 2010
Strength: 22,498 total, including:
- Uniformed personnel: 18,620
- Troops: 16,735
- Military observers: 478
- Police: 1,407
- Civilian personnel: 3,470
- International civilians: 816
- Local civilians: 2,654
- UN Volunteers: 370
Fatalities: 102
Source: un.org
