A statement by the U.N.’s World Food Program revealed that a helicopter returning from Walikale to the regional capital, Goma in North Kivu province, came under attack for 10 minutes but was able to land safely in Goma with all three crew and 10 passengers unharmed.
The helicopter delivers assistance to some of Congo’s most remote areas which would otherwise be inaccessible because of poor roads or insecurity.
The U.N stated that Flights have been suspended on specific routes in the region until the security situation can be reassessed.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but this is the second time this month that a U.N. mission’s helicopter came under fire in the North Kivu province. The previous incident killed a South African peacekeeper and injured another.
