Rutshuru explosive device explosion kills seven in Gikoro

At least seven people died and more than ten others were seriously injured following the explosion of an abandoned explosive device in Gikoro, located in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Preliminary reports indicate the victims were primarily farmers working in the area. Six individuals died at the scene, while a seventh succumbed to injuries during evacuation to a medical facility. More than ten critically injured people have been transported to a health center for treatment.

The explosion follows a period of instability in the region, which has seen recent combat between AFC/M23 rebels and Wazalendo militias. Experts have warned that unexploded ordnance remains a persistent threat in post-conflict zones of North Kivu, where such devices can be mistaken for ordinary objects.