{Kinshasa-There are reports of shooting this morning around the national TV and radio station RTNC, and also around the main army barracks and MOD at Ngaliema.}
Youths armed with machetes and guns have taken reporters hostage, a police spokesman has told the AFP news agency.
BBC reported that a customs official told Reuters that gunmen began shooting at the international airport shortly after the attack on RTNC’s headquarters.
There are also reports on social media of gunfire from a military compound.
“Shooting has started here. They are shooting everywhere. We are all hiding,” the airport customs official told the Reuters news agency.
Congolese security forces are at the scene at the RTNC headquarters.
“An operation is under way to dislodge them,” police spokesman Colonel Mwana Mputu told AFP.
Before the channels went off air, two gunmen appeared on camera to deliver what appeared to be a political message against President Joseph Kabila’s government, Reuter’s reports.
UK warns its Citizens
In a statement found on www.gov.uk, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Kinshasa (FCO) advise against all travel to eastern and north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Goma. The only exception to this is the town of Bukavu, to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of the DRC.
The lack of infrastructure throughout the country and continued insecurity in eastern DRC may prevent the British Embassy in Kinshasa from being able to extend normal levels of consular assistance to British nationals anywhere in DRC other than Kinshasa.
Street crime and robbery, including by individuals posing as plain clothes police, is common.
“Beware of gangs promising you cut price gold and diamonds. International non-governmental organisations in Kinshasa and Goma have been targeted. “
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