High tension gripped downtown Beni on Thursday following a fatal altercation at the Katula cemetery. A young girl was shot and killed during a dignified and safe burial (DSB) related to the Ebola virus disease, triggering a spontaneous protest by an angry crowd.

The tragedy occurred around midday as a medical team, escorted by security forces, was conducting the burial of an Ebola victim. According to initial eyewitness accounts and amateur footage circulating rapidly, a misunderstanding between the crowd and law enforcement escalated.

To disperse the crowd, security forces opened fire. A young girl was fatally shot at the scene.

The incident immediately sparked unrest. Refusing to hand over the remains, dozens of angry protesters took the girl’s body and marched toward downtown. The impromptu procession brought major thoroughfares to a standstill, with protesters chanting slogans against law enforcement and denouncing police brutality.

Dignified and safe burials, while crucial for stopping the spread of the Ebola virus, remain a frequent source of friction in Beni. Restrictions imposed on families for health reasons regularly clash with local traditions, exacerbating mistrust toward response teams.

As of now, police authorities have not yet released their official account of the events or provided an exact toll from the clashes. The situation remains tense in the city, where residents are demanding a full investigation into this tragedy and that those responsible for the shooting be brought to justice.

Written by Azarias Mokonzi