Hospitals were set on fire in the riots that followed the Ebola outbreak in Kongoda

Following the death of a young man from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, public unrest erupted after his body was not released to his family, as reported by Zamin.uz.

Local residents stormed the hospital grounds and set fire to special isolation tents, resulting in two large tents being completely destroyed and one healthcare worker sustaining injuries of varying severity.

To prevent the situation from escalating, police officers who arrived at the scene were forced to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd. According to local officials, some residents do not believe that Ebola is present in the area.

Rumors among the population claim that reports of the illness are fabrications invented by international non-governmental organizations and hospitals to solicit more funding. These unfounded suspicions have led to public resistance against medical assistance and hostility toward healthcare workers.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, the World Health Organization reported that numerous suspected Ebola cases have been recorded in the region. A state of emergency has been declared in the affected area to prevent the spread of the disease and to strengthen international confidence.

Experts emphasize the need to intensify public awareness efforts and ensure the safety of medical personnel. Currently, security measures around the hospital have been increased, and investigations are underway against those responsible for the disturbances.