Nurse killed by mob accused of spreading Ebola in DR Congo

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 19:20 · Archive

A nurse has been killed and a teacher seriously injured in DR Congo after a mob attacked them, accusing them of spreading Ebola.

A nurse has been killed and a teacher seriously injured after being attacked by a mob in the town of Bafwasende in DR Congo's eastern Tshopo province. The pair were accused by residents of spreading Ebola and were surrounded on Saturday. The nurse was pronounced dead at the scene after a prolonged assault, while police intervened to save the teacher.

The attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting health workers during the outbreak. Last month, a politician was beaten to death in North Kivu province after publicly defending the government's response and urging safety measures on local radio. At the start of the outbreak in May, two emergency tents at health centres were set alight in separate attacks within one week. Other reports include nurses being held captive by angry relatives of infected patients and threats against those carrying out safe burials.

The World Health Organisation warned that misinformation and fear are fuelling violence and hampering efforts to slow the outbreak. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said healthcare workers 'must be able to work in dignity and safety', while the regional director for Africa called for an end to violence driven by misinformation.

How it is being reported

• Nurse accused of spreading Ebola is murdered by angry mob in DR CongoThe nurse died at the scene and a teacher was saved by police officers after the attack by the mob in Bafwasende, DR Congo, who had accused the pair of spreading the Ebola virusThe Mirror · 26 Oct, 18:51
• Nurse accused of spreading Ebola murdered by mobTeacher badly injured in attack as mistrust of outbreak responders deepensThe Telegraph · 26 Oct, 16:25

In this story: DR Congo · Bafwasende · Tshopo province · World Health Organisation · North Kivu province · Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus · Mohamed Yakub Janabi

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