14 UN peacekeepers killed in Congo

In a bloody attack on a UN peacekeeping mission base, rebels in Congo killed at least 14 people and injured 53 others.

Indian peacekeepers in eastern Congo in 2013 (file photo) - Photo: AFP

According to the AP news agency, the attack was carried out by a group of armed Islamic rebels at night and lasted for several hours on December 7.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his anger and deep sorrow over the incident. Mr. Antonio Guterres called this "a tragic day for the UN family", calling it a war crime and urging Congolese authorities to promptly investigate the incident.

Most of the soldiers killed were from Tanzania, which currently has more than 1,000 soldiers serving in the UN peacekeeping force in Congo.

Tanzanian soldiers are generally the better equipped and trained of the UN's total peacekeeping force of about 21,000, according to the Guardian.

At least five Congolese soldiers were also killed in the attack on the night of December 7, which is believed to be one of the bloodiest attacks by rebel forces.

Three peacekeepers are still missing. More than 20 others are being treated in Goma.

This is the worst loss of life in a single day for the UN since 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an ambush in Somalia in 1993.

According to Tuoi Tre