Accidental deaths of six UN peacekeepers serving in DR of Congo mourned

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today paid tribute to the memory of six United Nations peacekeepers who drowned while on routine patrol in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday.

Mr. Annan was "deeply saddened by the tragic drowning," his spokesman said, extending condolences to the families of the victims as well as their home country, South Africa.

The UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) is carrying out a full investigation into the incident, which occurred when an armoured personnel carrier with 11 soldiers inside swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle and fell into the waters of Lake Kivu, about 35 kilometres west of Goma.

MONUC reported yesterday that of the five soldiers taken to its hospital in Goma, one was seriously hurt and the others were lightly injured.

Thirty-four UN peacekeepers have died since the Mission's establishment in 2000.