UN on attack on WFP convoy in DR Congo

The United Nations on Tuesday elaborated on the moments leading up to the deaths of those travelling in a World Food Programme convoy in Congo the previous day. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the incident involved seven people travelling in two WFP vehicles on the road from Goma to Rutshuru in eastern Congo, where they were planning to visit a WFP school feeding project. He said the vehicles were stopped by an armed group.

All passengers were forced out of their cars, which is when the WFP driver of one of the vehicles, Moustapha Milambo, was killed. Dujarric added that the remaining six passengers were then forced into the surrounding bush at gunpoint, where there was an exchange of fire. That's when Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio and his security escort, Vittorio Iacovacci, were mortally injured, he said.

The four others in the group - WFP staff including Deputy Country Director Rocco Leone, School Feeding Programme Assistant Fidele Zabandora, Security Officer Mansour Rwagaza and driver Claude Mukata - are safe, he said. Dujarric added that the UN's Department for Safety and Security will lead a detailed review into the incident.

(Image Credit: AP)