At least 35 people, including a baby, have been killed in an attack on a gold mine in Congo. Local authorities report this to the AFP news agency. The attack happened in the province of Ituri, in the northeast of the country.
Mayor Bikilisende of Mongbwalu Municipality says 29 bodies have since been removed from the mine. Another six burned bodies are buried on site. An army spokesman has confirmed that there has been a deadly attack, but has not yet released details of the number of casualties.
Rebels from the armed group Codeco are said to be behind the attack. They would have stolen the proceeds of the gold mining. Codeco has committed attacks in Ituri in the past. Last month they are said to have killed 16 people in an attack on a church.
Missing
Because the mine is located in a forested part of the province, help for the victims came too late, Bikilisende said. The mayor expects more bodies to be found. According to him, victims were still thrown into the mine shafts. He also said there are still seven missing.
Another local source said at least 50 were killed and nine others seriously injured.
Militia attacks are more frequent in eastern Congo.
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