Drone explosions kill UNICEF worker in Goma, Congo launches probe

Democratic Republic of the Congo is investigating drone explosions in Goma that killed Karine Buisset, a French worker with UNICEF, and two others. The government denied claims by the M23 rebel group that it carried out the attack and pledged to work with the UN to uncover the truth.

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into a series of explosions believed to have been caused by drones in the eastern city of Goma. The incident resulted in the death of a French employee of the United Nations Children’s Fund, widely known as UNICEF. Authorities said the investigation is aimed at determining exactly what happened and identifying those responsible for the deadly attack.
The victim was identified as Karine Buisset, a French national working with UNICEF. According to sources from the M23 rebel group, Buisset was killed early Wednesday morning when an explosion struck a residence in the city of Goma. The United Nations strongly condemned the attack and described it as a tragic loss for the humanitarian community.
Reports indicate that the explosion hit a two-storey residential building located in an area frequently inhabited by expatriates and humanitarian workers operating in the conflict-affected region. Local media outlets reported that Buisset was not the only casualty, as two other people were also killed in the blast. The incident caused significant concern among international aid organizations working in eastern Congo.
In an official statement, Congo’s Ministry of Communication and Media confirmed that authorities had taken note of the explosions and acknowledged that they had resulted in both loss of life and substantial material damage. The government said the incidents had raised serious security concerns in areas already affected by conflict.
The ministry explained that the precise circumstances surrounding the explosions were still unclear. Officials noted that the incidents occurred in areas currently under the control of rebel forces, making it more difficult to immediately verify the details of what happened. According to the statement, competent authorities have begun an investigation aimed at determining the origin of the reported explosions and clarifying the sequence of events.
Government officials said the investigation is intended to “shed full light” on the incidents and provide accurate information about what occurred. Authorities added that they are closely monitoring developments on the ground and working to gather reliable evidence that will help establish the facts.
The government also expressed sympathy for the families of those who lost their lives in the explosions. Officials extended condolences to the victims’ relatives as well as to the broader humanitarian community working in the region, acknowledging the risks faced by aid workers operating in areas affected by armed conflict.
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced renewed violence in recent years, particularly following the resurgence of the M23 rebel movement. The group currently controls large portions of territory in the region, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which were seized in 2025 during an escalation of the conflict.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with the United Nations and several Western countries, has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that it is not backing the armed group.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed earlier that the deadly strike had been carried out by the government in Kinshasa. He alleged that the attack was the responsibility of the Congolese authorities.
The government in Kinshasa rejected these accusations and dismissed the claim that it was behind the attack. Officials emphasized that the country remains committed to respecting international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.
Authorities stressed that the government would not engage in actions that contradict the principles it has consistently defended, particularly those related to the safety of non-combatants and humanitarian personnel.
The Congolese government also reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate with international partners in order to fully understand what happened. Officials said they would work closely with the United Nations and other organizations to investigate the incident and determine the facts surrounding the explosions.
In addition, the government stated that it remains committed to strengthening measures aimed at protecting civilian populations in conflict-affected areas. Authorities emphasized that safeguarding civilians and humanitarian workers remains a priority as investigations continue into the deadly explosions in Goma.