UN pays tribute to 8 peacekeepers in DRC helicopter crash

Bintou Keita (C), top UN envoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), holds a candle at a memorial service in Goma, DRC, on April 2, 2022. UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)

GOMA, DR Congo, April 2 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic od the Congo (MONUSCO) paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC.

The memorial service took place this Saturday in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, in the presence of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

"The remains of our departed peacekeepers are on their way back home. Once more we salute their courage and sacrifice in the service of peace," said Khassim Diagne, the deputy special representative for protection and security at MONUSCO.

The helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission in Tshanzu, near Goma, where there have been clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the DRC military in recent days. All eight peacekeepers who were on board the helicopter died after the chopper crashed.

The DRC military said Tuesday that the UN helicopter was shot down by M23 rebels, which is yet to be confirmed by the United Nations. 

Peacekeepers attend a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)

Peacekeepers salute at a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Front) holds a candle at a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)