According to national media reports, there was a suicide attack on a restaurant located on Nyamwisi Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Beni, North-Kivu province.
5 DEAD, MANY INJURED
According to initial reports, 5 people lost their lives in the explosion and many were injured.
The injured were being treated in hospitals in the city.
It is feared that the death toll will rise in the suicide attack, which was carried out at the restaurant after the Christmas Mass, when the restaurant was crowded.
“I WANT PEOPLE TO STAY AT HOME”
Beni Mayor Narcisse Muteba Kashale said in a statement, “There is a bomb that just exploded in the city centre,” and said, “I want the public to stay at home for their safety.”
“GOVERNMENT CONFUSES THE EXPLOSION”
Stating that the explosion was a suicide attack, Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said in a statement on his social media account, “The government condemns the explosion, which was the work of a suicide bomber in a restaurant in Beni on Christmas evening. It was reported that there were people who lost their lives. Security forces were deployed to the region and the first steps were taken.” .
EXPLOSION SOUND, THEN WEAPONS
Eyewitnesses said they heard an explosion and then gunfire around 7:00 pm local time. (AA/UAV)