This morning, 23 January 2006, 8 MONUC Guatemalan soldiers have been killed and 5 other injured in a firefight that took place in the Garamba Park (Haut Uélé district), in northeaster Democratic Republic of Congo. The injured peacekeepers were immediately evacuated to MONUC level II hospital in Bunia (Ituri district).

While conducting an operation in the sector, the unit came into contact with armed elements at 0600hrs local time. The ensuing firefight, which lasted 4 hours, called for the intervention of MONUC combat helicopters. Blue Helmets from MONUC's Nepalese contingent were airlifted by helicopters into the scene of the fighting to cordon and search the area.

MONUC Guatemalan Peacekeepers were engaged in reconnaissance activities in the Garamba Park for the past ten days, in search of Ugandan armed elements of the Lord's Resistance Army – LRA.

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Contacts

M. Kemal Saiki, Director of Public Information, Spokesperson
Email: saiki [at] un.org
Tel : +243.81.890.7506

Mme Rachel Eklou-Assogbavi, Deputy Spokesperson,
Chief of media relations
Email: eklou-assogbavi [at] un.org
Tel : +243.818.90.7706