News: Unfounded rumors about the preservation of victims’ bodies in the morgue
In the context of recent demonstrations against MONUSCO and the regional EAC force, rumors are circulating on social networks concerning alleged poor preservation of the victims’ bodies in the morgue. However, the deputy coordinator of the North Kivu Civil Protection service, Innocent Bahati, denied these rumors and assured that all the bodies are properly preserved in the region’s morgues.
According to Mr. Bahati, the people who spread these rumors are ill-intentioned and ignorant of conservation procedures which require great attention and precaution. He says managers of mortuary rooms in hospitals are well trained in the management and handling of bodies, and that no bodies have decomposed so far. He also points out that if this were the case, the Katindo military camp would have already been evacuated due to the danger it would pose to the public.
Furthermore, the technical secretary for the provincial coordination of civil society in North Kivu, Nzilamba Placide, welcomed the government’s decision to cover the injured and the funeral costs of the victims. He considers it a good thing that the government is providing support to injured people and bereaved families.
It should be noted that the government is currently in the phase of identifying the victims, both the dead and the injured, in preparation for the burial operation. According to the official report, 51 people were killed during these demonstrations, including 50 civilians and a police officer.
In conclusion, it is important not to be influenced by rumors circulating on social networks. The bodies of the victims are properly preserved in the morgues and the authorities are fully engaged in caring for the injured and the bereaved families.