Health facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo came under attack after tensions escalated between local residents and authorities over the handling of an Ebola victim’s body.
The victim, a well-known local footballer, was suspected to have died from Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in Ituri province. Health officials insisted on a safe, controlled burial to prevent the highly contagious virus from spreading further. However, the family rejected this, insisting on taking the body for a traditional burial, believing he had died from another illness.
The disagreement quickly escalated when relatives, friends, and community members gathered outside the hospital demanding the body’s release. Authorities refused, citing strict Ebola safety protocols, which require specialized burial procedures to reduce infection risk.
Tensions rose sharply as security forces attempted to control the crowd. Soldiers first tried to calm the situation, but police later fired tear gas and warning shots when the protest intensified.
In the chaos, protesters set fire to Ebola treatment tents operated by a medical charity. The blaze destroyed the facility, including beds and a body that was scheduled for burial that day. Several patients being treated inside had to be relocated for safety.
Health workers say such safe burials are essential because Ebola remains highly contagious even after death, and improper handling of bodies has historically driven major outbreaks in the region.
Local officials have begun tracing anyone who may have fled the area during the incident, warning that further spread could be possible if exposure occurred.
Authorities have blamed misinformation and distrust for the violence, noting that similar resistance severely disrupted past Ebola responses in the country.
