At least 38 people have been killed in an attack by rebels affiliated with the Middle East-based militant group Islamic State (ISIS) at a church in the central African country of Congo. The incident occurred on Sunday in the eastern Congolese town of Komanda, according to local government officials.
Officials told Reuters that members of the local militant group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), believed to be affiliated with ISIS, carried out the attack using guns and machetes in the northeastern town of Komanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jean Kato, an administrative official in Komanda, said that the armed militants stormed the church during an overnight prayer session early Sunday morning while Christian worshippers were present.
Government officials reported that at least 38 people were killed and 15 others injured in the ADF-led attack on the church. Several others remain missing.
Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist in Komanda, said that although gunfire was heard during the night, many residents initially assumed it was a robbery.
He added that the militants targeted Christians who were spending the night at the Catholic church. Tragically, the victims were either shot or hacked to death with machetes.
The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has condemned the armed attack on Christian worshippers inside the church.
