Violence Erupts at Congo Ebola Facility Over Demand for Relatives’ Bodies

Angry young men stormed a hospital treating Ebola patients in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, demanding the release of the bodies of their deceased relatives, in the latest outbreak-related violence disrupting medical response efforts.

The incident occurred at Monbgwalu General Hospital in Ituri province, where armed youths reportedly forced their way into the facility, insisting that two bodies believed to be their kin be handed over for burial. Hospital authorities say the situation escalated rapidly, forcing staff to evacuate patients as gunfire was heard around the facility.

According to hospital officials, the attackers were reacting to government-enforced Ebola burial protocols, which require that bodies of suspected victims be handled only by trained health personnel. Authorities say the measure is necessary because Ebola remains highly infectious even after death.

This is the third reported attack on health facilities in the region within a week, highlighting rising mistrust between local communities and Ebola response teams. Earlier incidents included the burning of a treatment centre after families were denied access to bodies, as well as other violent disruptions targeting medical sites.

Health officials say the outbreak has already resulted in hundreds of suspected cases across eastern Congo, with medical teams struggling to contain the spread amid insecurity, weak infrastructure, and community resistance to public health restrictions.

The World Health Organization has warned that the situation remains highly volatile, stressing that unsafe burial practices and attacks on treatment centres risk accelerating transmission of the virus.

Authorities continue to urge communities to cooperate with health workers as emergency response efforts intensify across the affected regions.