This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40625477
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
DR Congo rangers killed in raid to find US journalist | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Four Congolese park rangers and a porter have been killed in an operation to find a US journalist and three other rangers, officials say. | |
The group had gone missing during a militia attack on the town of Mambasa in the Okapi wildlife reserve, in the north-east of the country, on Friday. | The group had gone missing during a militia attack on the town of Mambasa in the Okapi wildlife reserve, in the north-east of the country, on Friday. |
Cosma Wilungula, the head of DR Congo's park service, told Reuters the gunmen were mining gold inside the reserve. | Cosma Wilungula, the head of DR Congo's park service, told Reuters the gunmen were mining gold inside the reserve. |
The mineral-rich east of the country has been wracked by decades of war. | The mineral-rich east of the country has been wracked by decades of war. |
It was initially reported that the group of four had been kidnapped on Friday but the BBC has learnt this was not the case. | |
They went missing after members of the Mai Mai militia attacked a group of park rangers accompanying three foreign journalists, Radio Okapi reported. | |
During the exchange of fire, some of the group, including two Dutch journalists, were able to escape. | During the exchange of fire, some of the group, including two Dutch journalists, were able to escape. |
The Mai Mai describe themselves as "self defence" groups. Many were armed during the DR Congo war that ran from 1998 to 2003 and were never disarmed. | The Mai Mai describe themselves as "self defence" groups. Many were armed during the DR Congo war that ran from 1998 to 2003 and were never disarmed. |
Park rangers working to protect wildlife regularly clash with the groups, who exploit minerals, wildlife and other resources. | Park rangers working to protect wildlife regularly clash with the groups, who exploit minerals, wildlife and other resources. |
The Okapi reserve covers nearly 14,000 sq km (5,400 sq miles) and protects part of the Ituri forest near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda. | The Okapi reserve covers nearly 14,000 sq km (5,400 sq miles) and protects part of the Ituri forest near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda. |
Correction 17 July: This story has been updated after additional information came to light |