Drone Strike Kills French Aid Worker and Others in Eastern DR Congo

 At least three people, including a French humanitarian worker, have been killed in a drone attack in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, authorities and witnesses say.

The attack occurred early on March 11, 2026, when unmanned aerial strikes hit a residential area of the city, which has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since it captured Goma in early 2025. According to rebel spokespersons, drones struck near homes rented by United Nations and European Union personnel, killing several civilians and damaging buildings.

Among the dead was Karine Buisset, a French national and aid worker affiliated with the UNICEF programme. The French president publicly confirmed her death and urged respect for humanitarian law and protection of relief personnel working in conflict zones.

The M23 rebels blamed the Congolese government’s forces for carrying out the drone strike and described the incident as a deliberate attack on a densely populated area. The government and the Congolese army have not issued an official statement on the incident.

Residents and emergency responders reported explosions in the early morning, with damage to homes and smoke rising from impacted neighbourhoods. The incident reflects the ongoing intensity of armed conflict in eastern Congo, which has seen renewed clashes between the DRC’s army and M23 rebels, despite international efforts to broker peace.

The violence in the region has contributed to a worsening humanitarian situation, with millions displaced and continued insecurity affecting civilians and aid operations.