2 injured in church explosion in Democratic Republic of Congo

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - At least two people were injured Sunday in an explosion at the Catholic parish of Butsili in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive North Kivu province, local media reported.

The explosion occurred shortly before a confirmation ceremony in the town of Beni, the report said, quoting eyewitnesses and police sources.

The explosion occurred at around 6.00 am local time (0500GMT), said Narcisse Muteba Kashale, the head of police in Beni's town hall.

This is reportedly the third attack this year targeting a religious installation following similar attacks on mosques in the province in which two imams were killed by suspected Ugandan rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).