Chaos in DR Congo: Angry Residents Torch Ebola Treatment Center Over Withheld Body
Residents burned sections of an Ebola treatment center in eastern DR Congo after authorities prevented them from claiming a suspected victim's body for burial, highlighting widespread distrust of health officials in the region.
BBC reported on May 22 that angry residents set fire to a section of Rwampara General Hospital near the city of Bunia in Ituri Province—the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo—after the family and friends of a young man suspected of dying from the virus were prevented from taking his body for burial. Local politician Luc Malembe Malembe stated: "They started throwing objects at the hospital. They also set fire to tents being used as isolation wards." The violence resulted in hospital staff injuries, destruction of two tents and a body awaiting burial, and police firing warning shots to disperse the crowd.
Authorities emphasize that Ebola victims' bodies are high-risk infection sources and must be buried safely to prevent viral spread. Military and police have been stationed at the hospital to protect medical personnel and maintain order.
The deceased was a beloved community member and local footballer who had played for several local teams. His mother believed he died of typhoid, not Ebola. Malembe noted the underlying problem: "People lack correct information and understanding of what's happening. For some groups, especially in remote areas, Ebola is something created by outsiders—it doesn't really exist. They believe NGOs and hospitals fabricated this to make money, and that's tragic."
The World Health Organization recommends safe and dignified burial of Ebola victims by trained teams using protective equipment. Though reports initially suggested six patients might have escaped during the chaos, medical charity Alima confirmed all patients remain safe under hospital care.
DR Congo has recorded at least 139 deaths from over 600 suspected cases, though the health ministry reports 159 deaths with two additional cases confirmed in Uganda.
