A 16-year-old Congolese asylum seeker, Lydia Mbakemiye, was killed on Monday after being hit by a truck at the Nyakabande reception centre in Kisoro district.
Mbakemiye, originally from Kiwanja in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, had been queuing for registration and screening around midday when the incident occurred.
An Isuzu FVZ truck, registration number UAU 728X, belonging to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) entered the centre carrying mobile toilets.
According to eyewitness accounts, many asylum seekers stepped aside to make way for the truck. However, as Mbakemiye returned to her place in line, she was struck and died instantly.
Kigezi regional police spokesperson, Elly Maate, confirmed the incident. He said the body was taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination, and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
The Nyakabande reception centre currently hosts over 6,000 asylum seekers fleeing conflict in North Kivu province, particularly due to the ongoing insurgency by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
Very sad, she escaped the bullets only to be felled by a truck!