Zaire: Ten volunteers of the Zairian Red Cross killed in Kenge

Geneva (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was deeply shocked to learn of the death of 10 first-aid workers of the Red Cross Society of the Republic of Zaire, killed some hours ago in Kenge, a town 200 km east of Kinshasa. According to information received by the ICRC delegation in the Zairian capital, the tragedy occurred as the volunteers were assisting people wounded in the fighting which had been raging in Kenge. Some 200 civilians were reportedly killed in the clashes, and 126 wounded have been admitted to hospital, 25 of them in critical condition.

The ICRC calls on the belligerents to respect all persons not taking part in the fighting, in particular civilians, prisoners and the wounded, and also the staff and buildings placed under the protection of the Red Cross emblem. ICRC delegates and Zairian Red Cross personnel will attempt to reach Kenge in the coming hours to provide medical assistance to the hospital.