UN mission probes deadly explosion in eastern DRC

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has started to probe a deadly explosion in eastern DRC, which killed a girl and injured 32 UN peacekeepers from India on Tuesday, a UN spokesman said.

Five of the peacekeepers were seriously wounded in the incident in Goma, Stephan Dujarric told a regular briefing at the UN headquarters.

"According to preliminary reports, the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device. All injured peacekeepers, in addition to a Congolese civilian, are receiving medical treatment," he said. The peacekeepers were doing morning running when the explosion happened, he added.

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or MONUSCO has sent quick reaction force to the scene and deployed an investigation team, which includes explosives experts, Dujarric said, adding that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, Maman Sambo Sidikou is expected to travel to Goma to assess the situation on the ground.

The UN peacekeeping mission in DRC was first established in 1999. In 2010, the UN Security Council renamed the mission to MONUSCO to implement mandates including the protection of civilians and supporting the government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts. Enditem