Police in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse a crowd protesting the burial of a suspected Ebola victim. The incident took place at Rwampara General Hospital in Ituri province, where the family of a local football player was demanding his body for a traditional funeral. They rejected the Ebola diagnosis and wanted to take the remains home.
The protesters, including young people and family members, set fire to two tents at the Ebola treatment center run by ALIMA. The structures, which housed eight beds, were destroyed along with medical supplies. Soldiers initially attempted to de-escalate the situation before police used tear gas and fired warning shots. Six patients were safely transferred to the main hospital building.
The clash reflects the community's deep resistance to safe burial protocols. The bodies of people who died from Ebola remain highly infectious, and traditional handling practices have contributed to transmission in previous outbreaks. No serious injuries were reported during the clash.
The incident comes amid an active Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine. Health teams are conducting contact tracing to limit potential spread stemming from the unrest. This presents a new challenge in a region already plagued by conflict and mistrust.
Authorities have reinforced security around the hospital to protect health workers and allow operations to resume. The incident highlights the ongoing difficulties in reconciling cultural traditions with essential public health measures during infectious disease outbreaks.