Rebels supported by the Islamic state attack a church in East Congo, killing 38 people

38 people were slain Sunday in an attack on a church in eastern Congo by militants backed by the Islamic State, according to municipal officials.

Officials told Reuters that ADF rebels with firearms and machetes are thought to have carried out the attack in the city of Komanda in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

When the rebels attacked the church early on Sunday morning, attendees were participating in a night liturgy, according to Jean Kato, a local administration officer.

According to officials, there were 38 fatalities, 15 injuries, and a number of unaccounted-for individuals.

Human rights campaigner Christophe Munyanderu, who was on the scene in Komanda, stated that when gunfire was heard overnight, initially, many assumed it was the sound of robbers.

“The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church,” stated Munyanderu.

“Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets.”

The DR Congo’s UN Organization Stabilization Mission has denounced a recent spike in violence in the province where this attack took place.