Eight people were killed in a militia attack near Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga national park, park authorities said Friday.
The park’s chief warden, Mr Emmanuel de Merode, said those killed were two rangers, a soldier and five militiamen.
He said a soldier who was helping the park rangers was killed and three others were wounded, one seriously, in the attack that occurred on Thursday in the northeast of the country.
The clash also claimed the lives of five rebels from the Mai Mai Pareco group, while two were wounded and one was captured.
The wounded rebels were under guard at the hospital in Vitshumbi, a statement from the park management said.
The Virunga park, which is famous for its rare mountain gorillas, has become the scene of fighting between soldiers and armed groups, such as the Mai Mai tribal militia, which are among many rival forces active in eastern DR Congo.
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