The death toll after a brutal storming of Rwandan supported rebels in the Congolese city of Goma is 3000 approaching after hundreds of women were raped and then burned alive during a massive jailbreak.
The atrocity saw female prisoners in their wing killed in the notoriously overflowing prison after men had gone their way and went on a disaster.
But during a UN press conference on Wednesday, Vivian van de Perre, the deputy head of the UN peace force in Goma revealed that a stunning 2,900 bodies have been collected so far in the midst of the chaos.
Mrs. Van de Perre said that in recent days about 2,000 dead bodies had been collected from the streets of Goma, with another 900 left in Morginues in the hospital.
She describes the massacre and said that the figure is expected to increase in the coming days.
“There are still many resolutive bodies in certain areas, so the WHO is really worried about what kind of epidemic outbreaks that can contribute,” Mrs Van de Perre added.
During the massive jailbreak, thousands of male criminals managed to flee, but the area reserved for women was bent on the floor.
Images taken shortly after M23 hunters reached the center of Goma, huge feathers of black smoke showed out of prison on January 27, while long rows of men jump away from the Inferno.
Displayed, the scene of Mayhem is raging at the Munzenze in Goma
According to the UN, hundreds of women were raped and killed after M23 rebels stormed the city. Pictures of his hunters of Rwandan-Stundled Group M23
Members of the Congolese Red Cross and volunteers buried victims of the recent conflict at a cemetery in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, 4 February 2025
It is unclear who was behind the slaughter of the female prisoners, since UN passmen are excluded from entering the site by M23 rebels.
Mrs. Van de Perre added: 'They have not been able to verify all figures from first -hand and what exactly happened, again, because of the situation in Goma, making it very difficult for us to go and go and to move around '.
Previous reports suggested that at least 141 women caught were killed, along with 28 young children who had been in detention with their mothers.
“There was a big breakout of the prison of 4,000 escaped prisoners. A few hundred women were also in that prison … they were all raped and then they set fire to the women's wing. They all died afterwards, “she said.
Local reports claim that during the chaos, prisoners were shot by guards while they tried to stop the mass expansion.
A week further from the rampage and the prison of Munzenze is in ruins and is completely empty, whereby the guards have left their posts.
Soldiers from the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Fardc) stand Guard, such as military governor Major General Somo Kakule Evariste The Rehabilitation of the Mbau-Kamango Road in Beni Territory, in the province of Democratic Republic of February, launches 4, 2025
Traders hold a market for a vehicle that was hit by light and heavy weapons during the fighting in the city that led to the fall of Goma in the hands of the M23 rebels
The remains of a vehicle hit by heavy and light weapons during the fighting
Members of the Congolese Red Cross and volunteers buried victims of the recent conflict at a cemetery in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, 4 February 2025
A large part of the facility has been destroyed by Blaze, including the prison administration office. The prison was also looted in the aftermath of the escape.
Prior to the incident, Munzenze Central Prison houses around 4,400 prisoners, much further than its capacity.
On Tuesday it turned out that 2,000 bodies were still awaiting the funeral in Goma after the M23 rebels seized the city, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the province of Noord -Kivu in Congo.
In a disturbing new claim after the rebellion, the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned that sexual violence is used as a war weapon by rival armed groups in Goma.
The city, the home of a million people, is now under the full control of M23 hunters.
On Monday, the rebel group stated that a ceasefish -fire would start Tuesday for 'humanitarian reasons'.
The alliance of rebel groups – known as the 'Congo River Alliance', of which M23 is a member – has previously accused the Congolese army of killing people who use planes to bomb areas that own it.
The organization added that it does not intend to grab further territory, even though it is said otherwise last week, and it will hold its positions.
In a statement, the Alliance said: “We repeat our dedication to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions.”
A child on a serious watches while members of the Congolese Red Cross and volunteers wear victims of the recent conflict at a cemetery in Goma,
Thousands of Vn -Vredes enforcers arrived in Goma after intensive fighting there between rebels and the Congolese army. Depicted is a destroyed military vehicle
A patient injured during fighting between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Fardc) and the M23 rebels is outside the Kyeshero hospital in Goma
It is estimated that around 2,000 bodies still have to be deleted. Shown are members of the Congolese Red Cross and the Civil Protection Team that bury victims of the fighting
Traders are holding a market for a gas station that was hit by light and heavy weapons during the fighting
Previously, the fears that Rwanda was determined to take more territory of his huge neighbor, with M23 troops steadily pushing south to Bukavu, the capital of the province of South Kivu, 120 miles of besieged Goma.
Respond to news about the unexpected cease -Furthermen, said Mrs. Van de Perre: 'I hope it stays that way because they are [M23] already moved in the direction of Bukavu with reinforcements and heavy weapons, which can be seen [along] The streets in Goma.
'If they withdraw, that's good news. Otherwise we have a new collision with possibly thousands of extra dead. '
Regional Conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people in the last three years.
Since the beginning of 2025, more than 400,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes, according to the UN refugee office.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame – who also leads the Rwanda Defense Force – said he did not know whether the troops of his country in the Dr. Were Congo.
“There are many things I don't know. But if you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that relates to Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do something to protect himself? I would say 100 percent, “he told CNN on Monday.
In the meantime, human rights groups have called for more pressure on Rwanda to go back.
The Minister of Communication of Dr. Congo called on the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda.
“A strong decision (must be made) not just to condemn, but to stop what Rwanda does, because it is not acceptable if you want to keep peace in Africa and in our region,” Patrick Muyaya told Reuters.
“Sanctions are the minimum,” he added.
