French aid worker among three killed in drone strikes in rebel-held DR Congo city

A French UN aid worker, Karine Buisset, was among three people killed in drone strikes in Goma, a rebel-held city in eastern DR Congo, on Wednesday. The strikes hit Lake Kivu and a residential building often used by expatriates and aid workers. UNICEF expressed devastation at Buisset's death, while the head of the UN mission in DR Congo condemned the use of armed drones endangering civilians and UN personnel. The DR Congo army regularly launches drone strikes on M23 rebel positions, and the M23 also deploys explosive drones. The M23 rebels have controlled Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, since early last year.

A French UNICEF aid worker was killed in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, after a drone strike hit a residential building. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, according to M23 rebels who control the city. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka blamed the Congolese government for the "combat drone" attack, claiming it targeted the UN and EU. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of the aid worker, Karine Buisset, and called for respect for humanitarian law. Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, was seized by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January 2025 and has experienced increased violence since M23 resumed fighting in 2021.