One dead after security forces open fire during Ebola burial in Congo, sources say


Sept 24 (Reuters) - One person ⁠was killed and several others wounded after security ⁠forces fired shots to contain unrest during the ‌burial of a suspected Ebola victim in northeastern Congo on Thursday, two sources said.

• The incident occurred at Katula-Paida cemetery in Beni, ​a city in North Kivu province, ⁠which has recently seen ⁠a surge in Ebola infections.

• The burial team was preparing ⁠to ‌bury the body in line with Ebola safety procedures when residents demanded to see the deceased, ⁠questioning whether the person had died ofEbola, ​according toa member ‌of the Ebola response team in the city.

• ⁠Tensions escalated ​and security forces escorting the burial team opened fire as they sought to contain the unrest, the source said.

• At ⁠least one person was killed and ​several others were injured, according to the response team member and a health official who asked to remain anonymous.

• Investigations ⁠are underway to establish the full toll and circumstances of the incidents, two health officials said.

• The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on ​burial teams and other Ebola responders, ⁠underscoring persistent mistrust among the population.

• The outbreak, declared on ​May 15, has infected 7,820 ‌people and killed 3,779, according to ​government data released on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Fiston Mahamba; Writing by Clement Bonnerot; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet)

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