A shocking UN report has revealed that more than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a recent jailbreak in the eastern Congolese city of Goma. The brutal incident occurred as inmates escaped from Munzenze prison last Monday amid the ongoing advance of M23 rebels in the region.
According to an internal UN document seen by the BBC, between 165 and 167 women were sexually assaulted by male inmates during the jailbreak. Most of the victims were later killed when the prisoners set fire to the facility. However, the BBC has not independently verified these claims.
Goma, a city of over one million people, fell under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group following a rapid military advance. The takeover has led to widespread violence and destruction, with reports of bodies lying in the streets and missiles striking residential areas.
Footage from the jailbreak shows prisoners fleeing as thick smoke billowed from the facility, while heavy gunfire echoed in the background. Separate video evidence also captured large groups of escapees moving through Goma's streets.
The UN has estimated that at least 2,900 people have died in the conflict, with 2,000 bodies already buried and another 900 still in morgues across the city.
Despite announcing a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds earlier this week, the M23 launched a new offensive on Wednesday, reportedly seizing the mining town of Nyabibwe, located about 100 km (60 miles) from Bukavu. Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DR Congo, is now the apparent target of the rebels' latest push.
In response, Congolese authorities have mobilized hundreds of civilian volunteers to help defend Bukavu from potential capture.
Malawi has announced plans to withdraw its peacekeeping troops following the deaths of three Malawian soldiers in the fighting around Goma. The troops were part of a southern African military force led by South Africa.
Despite suffering significant losses—14 South African soldiers killed—President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to keep South African forces in DR Congo.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over a potential cholera outbreak in Goma, as essential services collapse under the pressure of ongoing violence.
"Access to water has been cut for days, corpses have been lying in the streets, and waterborne diseases such as cholera are a real threat," said Stephan Goetghbuer, a regional lead from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
He added that MSF's cholera treatment centers are already overwhelmed and have been forced to expand to handle the rising number of cases.
With Goma under M23 control and violence spreading across eastern DR Congo, the humanitarian situation remains dire, and international concerns continue to mount.