Tensions escalated in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo after angry residents attempted to forcibly retrieve the body of a man believed to have died from Ebola at Rwampara Hospital, where two treatment tents were reportedly set on fire during violent protests.
According to sources at the scene, protesters stormed the hospital demanding the release of the deceased man’s body so that he could be buried according to local customs and with dignity, without the strict Ebola burial protocols that require the use of protective equipment and restricted handling of bodies.
“We are currently locked down at Rwampara Hospital. Protesters are attempting to forcibly retrieve the bodies of individuals who died from Ebola. They are also beginning to set fire to some of the hospital’s facilities,” a source at the hospital said.
“The situation is extremely tense and requires urgent intervention from the competent authorities to secure the patients, medical staff, and health infrastructure.”
Health officials and humanitarian organizations operating at the facility confirmed that no Ebola patients escaped from the hospital during the unrest, despite attempted intrusions into the treatment center.
The incident highlights the persistent challenge facing health authorities in parts of eastern DRC, where misinformation, distrust of health interventions, and cultural sensitivities surrounding burials continue to complicate efforts to contain Ebola outbreaks.
Some residents reportedly described Ebola as a “white man’s disease,” reflecting deep-rooted skepticism toward international health responses and government-led containment measures.
Ebola outbreaks in the region have repeatedly exposed tensions between public health protocols and traditional burial practices, as funerals and direct contact with bodies remain among the major drivers of transmission.
The unrest also comes amid growing regional concern over cross-border health security. Uganda has already suspended flights from the Democratic Republic of Congo as authorities seek to prevent possible spread of the virus.
Security and health officials were reportedly working to stabilize the situation at Rwampara Hospital while protecting patients, medical personnel, and critical healthcare infrastructure from further attacks.
