UNESCO condemns deadly attack on Virunga National Park rangers

KIGALI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, on Tuesday condemned an attack in which a six park rangers and their driver were killed in the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Monday.

"I condemn this deadly attack on six guards of the Virunga National Park and their driver. I call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take all the necessary legal measures to put an end to these repetitive attacks," Ms Azoulay said in a statement.

This is the third attack this year against the staff of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation in the Virunga Park, according to the statement.

It follows similar acts on other World Heritage sites in Central Africa, in Dja and Sangha Tri-National.

Since 1996, attacks in the Virunga National Park have claimed over 175 victims, according to UNESCO.

The Director-General called on the international community to help the Institute ensure the safety of local people and staff.

With the support of the European Union, UNESCO has been investing for several years in strengthening human capacity and resources of World Heritage Sites in the countries of central Africa that are facing security challenges, the statement added.

"The Director-General pays tribute to the courage of the guards who risk their lives to ensure the protection of this heritage."

Virunga National Park has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1979 because of its exceptional biodiversity, including endemic and rare species, such as the mountain gorilla.

The site has also been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1994 because of the impact of conflict in the Great Lakes region.

Virunga officials blamed Mai Mai militia members for the attack in a Tuesday statement. Enditem