The city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo is reeling from the tragic aftermath of two explosions that occurred shortly after a meeting involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. This violent incident is part of the ongoing turmoil in the eastern region of the country, and the death toll has risen to 17, according to Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the M23-appointed vice-governor of South Kivu province.
Initially, reports indicated 13 fatalities; however, the numbers have since increased as more victims succumbed to their injuries. Bwenge revealed during the funerals of some victims that 11 individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while others were transported to hospitals where they later passed away. “In total, we have confirmed 17 deaths. Today, we are burying 12 people, as some bodies have already been interred and others remain in medical facilities,” he stated.
The blasts rocked Bukavu on February 27, just 11 days after the M23 seized control of the city in a swift offensive marked by violence and chaos. While M23 fighters have also taken over North Kivu’s main city Goma earlier in January, the exact perpetrators of the explosions remain unknown, raising concerns regarding security and public safety in the area.
At a local hospital, the somber sight of twelve polished wooden coffins lined up in a row served as a poignant reminder of the tragedy. Small wooden crosses placed in front of the coffins bore the names of the deceased, along with their birth and death dates. Photographs of the victims adorned some coffins, capturing the faces of lives lost too soon.
Among the images was a portrait of 26-year-old Ushindi Baradosa, a young man remembered fondly as “Rest in peace” was inscribed on his photograph. Grief-stricken family members gathered around the coffins, some crying openly while others displayed profound sorrow in more silent moments of mourning. A woman was seen weeping helplessly on the ground while being consoled by friends, while a young woman stood a short distance away, arms lifted in prayer, her eyes closed in deep reflection.
In a moving ceremony, a priest offered blessings for each family as they prepared to take their loved ones to the cemetery for burial. The day was marked not just by loss but by the resilience of a community grappling with the impacts of conflict and violence that continue to challenge the peace in the region.
