Calm has been restored in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a mob set fire to an Ebola treatment centre in Rwampara, in Ituri Province, following tensions over burial procedures during the ongoing outbreak.
The incident occurred after health workers reportedly prevented a group of young people from retrieving the body of a man suspected to have died from Ebola. Witnesses said anger quickly escalated, leading to the attack on the facility.
A student in the area, Alexis Burata, said police attempted to intervene but were overwhelmed as the youths broke into the centre, setting fire to equipment and objects inside. Reports also indicated that at least one body being kept at the facility was affected before aid workers evacuated the scene.
Authorities said the confrontation stemmed from misunderstandings over strict Ebola burial protocols, which require safe and controlled handling of bodies to prevent further transmission of the highly contagious virus.
Public security officials in Ituri Province stressed that families are not permitted to carry out traditional burial rites for suspected Ebola victims, noting that such practices can significantly increase the risk of infection.
Humanitarian workers from the organisation ALIMA, which operates in the area, confirmed that order has since been restored and medical teams have resumed activities at the treatment centre.
The outbreak continues to pose challenges in a region already strained by insecurity, displacement, and limited healthcare infrastructure, with health officials warning that community resistance could hinder containment efforts.
