Congo City Death Toll Passes 900 as African Leaders Plan Summit
- Hundreds of bodies found in Goma’s streets, more in morgues
- Southern and East African regional blocs agree to joint summit
Graveyard workers dig graves in a cemetery in Goma, on Feb. 3.
Photographer: Alexis Huguet/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
More than 900 people died in fighting for the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week, the United Nations said Monday, as African leaders agreed to meet to discuss the conflict.
“At least 900 bodies have been recovered from the streets, not including those already in morgues,” the UN said in a statement, citing the World Health Organization. The UN agency warned about the spread of diseases such as mpox, cholera and measles “due to the displacement of populations who do not have easy access to medical care.”