Dozens of mourners killed by suspected rebels at a funeral in eastern DRC

At least 70 people were killed in an overnight attack on a funeral in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) suspected of involvement, local media reported, citing eyewitnesses.

The attack, one of a series in recent months, took place around 0000 GMT on Monday in Ntoyo, a village in Lubero territory in the eastern province of North Kivu, Paluku Nzalamingi, a parish priest who visited the scene early Tuesday, told local news website Actualite.cd.

“They killed almost everyone who was gathered at the funeral home. In any case, many were shot dead. Bodies are on the road, in plots near the centre of Ntoyo. I haven’t been able to count them, but it’s more than 70 people, at least, is what I can say. Mostly killed by bullets,” Nzalamingi was quoted by the media outlet as saying.

Mwami Eugene Viringa, a local leader, told Actualite.cd that the death toll could exceed 70.

A returning resident who was involved in the search for bodies in Ntoyo said 102 people were killed.