Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Congo Grenade Blast Kills 2, Injures Dozens of Peacekeepers

by Associated Press

   GOMA, CONGO --

   A grenade detonated where a group of Indian peacekeepers were
   exercising on Tuesday morning in eastern Congo, killing at least two
   people and sparking an angry demonstration that was dispersed by tear
   gas, officials and witnesses said.

   One peacekeeper and one 8-year-old child were killed in the blast on
   the outskirts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, said
   provincial governor Julien Paluku. The injured included 31 peacekeepers
   and three civilians, he said.
   Officials are working to determine where the grenade came from and how
   it exploded. "The staff is very busy gathering information about this
   incident," said Sylvestre Kilolo, a spokesman for Congo's U.N. mission.
   Various rebel groups are active in Congo's northeast, though most
   recent violence has occurred in the Beni region north of Goma.
   Congolese security forces used tear gas to disperse angry residents who
   said the blast was the result of peacekeepers' carelessness. The
   demonstrators spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety.