The UN says 700 people have died in the town of Goma in DR Congo

In the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo during the fighting from January 26 to 30 at least 700 people were killed and 2.8 thousand more were injured. This was announced by the representative of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric during a briefing on January 31.

"The World Health Organization and its partners conducted an assessment together with the government between January 26 and yesterday (January 30. - Ed.) and report that 700 people were killed and 2.8 thousand injured," he said.

In addition, as Dujarric emphasized, it is expected that the number of killed and wounded "will increase as more information becomes available."

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The escalation in DR Congo came after the government severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda and accused the country of supporting rebels who launched a new offensive on the town of Goma. DRC's Foreign Ministry on January 26 announced the immediate withdrawal of its diplomats in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and ordered the country's embassy in Kinshasa to cease operations within 48 hours.

On January 27, March 23 Movement leader Cornel Nangaa claimed control of the city of Goma. Rebels cut food and essential supplies routes into the city from the south. Reuters reported on January 28 that Congolese rebels from M23 had taken control of the airport in the city of Goma. It was noted that it was through it that the UN, humanitarian groups and peacekeepers were delivering supplies.

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, in turn, emphasized that Russia strongly condemns the actions of the Congolese rebel group M23 in the DRC and calls for a cessation of hostilities.