Death toll rises to 35 in bomb attack in Congo

By Gokhan Kavak

ISTANBUL (AA) - Authorities reported Saturday that the death toll rose to 35 from a bomb attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Eric Bwanapuwa, an official from the Goma region, told reporters that fatalities in the attack at the refugee camp on May 8 have increased.

While no group has claimed responsibility, it is suspected to have been carried out by rebel groups, with women and children among the casualties.

Members of the 23 March Movement (M23), which has escalated attacks in recent months, continue to control villages and towns in the region.

Renewed attacks by M23 rebels in November 2021 in eastern Congo led to the displacement of thousands of civilians and sparked a crisis between Rwanda and the DRC.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of attempting to occupy its mineral-rich lands, including gold, coltan and cobalt -- for its interests and of supporting the M23 rebels.

Rwanda denies the allegations.