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North Kivu: 36 people hospitalized after consuming a paste made from cassava flour
Uncategorized August 29, 2026
An unusual situation is worrying the inhabitants of Visiki-Mambombo, in the Baswagha-Madiwe group, Beni territory, in North Kivu.
At least 36 people are hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone, after consuming a paste made from cassava flour suspected of causing poisoning.
The events date back to Sunday, August 23, 2026, following the death of a child, Justin, aged approximately 10. According to information gathered at the scene, the child had consumed a dough prepared with this flour the previous day; the source of the poisoning remains to be determined.
During the mourning ceremony held the same day at Visiki-Centre, several people reportedly consumed this paste before developing signs of poisoning.
They were taken to the Mambingi health center for treatment. Investigations are expected to determine the exact source of the poisoning and prevent any further cases.
January Kasereka Malikidogo
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Beni: 36 people hospitalized after suspected cassava flour poisoning
30.08.2026
At least 36 people are hospitalized in the Beni territory of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after consuming a paste made with cassava flour suspected of being contaminated, local sources said Saturday.
The victims are being treated at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone, according to these sources.
The case began on August 23 after the death of a child of about ten years old, identified as Justin, who had allegedly consumed the previous day a dough prepared with the flour in question.
Several people who attended the child's funeral at Visiki-Centre reportedly consumed the same preparation and developed symptoms of poisoning.
In total, four deaths have been reported since the start of the incident. Three members of the same family reportedly died after consuming the preparation. A fourth person, Kasereka Matchetche, an elderly woman, died on Friday at the Mabalako General Referral Hospital.
Tests carried out to look for Ebola virus disease have reportedly come back negative in the deceased and in hospitalized patients, according to civil society leaders.
The exact cause of the poisoning has not yet been established.
Representatives of civil society are calling on the relevant authorities to carry out analyses of the flour and food in question in order to determine the possible presence of toxic substances.
Two suspects wanted
Two men suspected of involvement in the case were reportedly arrested on Thursday by young people from Visiki-Centre. According to local sources, they confessed to poisoning a cassava stall in Kitholu.
After their arrest, they were reportedly brought before a local authority before managing to escape during the night.
This escape sparked tensions in Visiki, where young people gathered on Friday evening. Some reportedly also tried to retrieve the body of Kasereka Matchetche, who died in Mabalako, to bring it back to the town.
The situation on Saturday raised fears of acts of mob justice, according to the same sources.
The president of the civil society forces of Visiki-Mambombo, Tufurayi Musanzi, who allegedly participated in efforts to avoid mob justice against the suspects, has reportedly gone into hiding for fear of his safety.
Civil society groups are calling on authorities to strengthen security during Kasereka Matchetche's funeral, scheduled for Saturday in Visiki, and to protect those threatened in connection with this case.
They also call for an investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the poisoning and deaths.
Denise Kyalwahi
Opinion Info / MCP, via mediacongo.net
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Beni: The death toll from the unusual situation in Visiki has risen from four to six; a thorough investigation is underway.
August 30, 2026
A meeting was organised on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Visiki-Centre, in the Visiki-Mambombo locality, Baswagha-Madiwe group, in the territory of Beni, following the unusual situation which affected several inhabitants of this entity.
The meeting was moderated by the civil society representatives of the Baswagha-Madiwe group, led by its president, Justin Paluku Kavalami, with the support of healthcare staff from the Mabalako health zone, led by the chief medical officer of the zone, Ezee Thembo.
The objective was, in particular, to further investigate the origin of this situation and to help ease tensions within the community, while preparations for the burial of Kasereka Matchetche, one of the victims who consumed a paste made from flour suspected of causing the poisonings, were underway.
On this occasion, civil society representatives commended the behavior of the young people of Visiki-Centre, who facilitated the work of the healthcare professionals. The latter collected various samples for further analysis.
For civil society, the results of these analyses are particularly awaited by the community, which wants to know the truth about the circumstances of these deaths and see any responsibilities established.
Civil society is calling for assistance to families
Faced with the consequences of this situation, civil society leaders are also calling for enhanced medical care and humanitarian assistance for the affected families.
According to Justin Paluku Kavalami, many of the affected households are in a highly vulnerable situation. Some families have more than three, or even four, people hospitalized simultaneously, making it difficult to cover medical expenses.
Two new deaths recorded this weekend
The situation remains worrying. A fifth death was recorded at the beginning of this weekend at the LIDE hospital in Masangi, in the Visiki-Mambombo area. The victim, identified as Mupila, was not among the 36 people previously recorded as ill and hospitalized.
Furthermore, a sixth death was reported on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29. This was Meru Musubao, secretary of the Visiki captaincy, who was among the 36 people hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone.
Thus, two additional deaths were recorded over the weekend, bringing to six the number of people who have died in connection with this unusual situation, according to information communicated locally.
Among the 36 people hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, two are currently in critical condition, according to the same sources.
This development continues to cause concern, stress, and dismay among the population of Visiki. Local leaders and opinion leaders, for their part, continue to urge the population to remain calm while awaiting the results of medical tests that should determine the exact cause of this situation.
Thanks-Aiglon Mukanda Paluku
radio-oasis.cd
North Kivu: 36 people hospitalized after consuming a paste made from cassava flour
Uncategorized August 29, 2026
An unusual situation is worrying the inhabitants of Visiki-Mambombo, in the Baswagha-Madiwe group, Beni territory, in North Kivu.
At least 36 people are hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone, after consuming a paste made from cassava flour suspected of causing poisoning.
The events date back to Sunday, August 23, 2026, following the death of a child, Justin, aged approximately 10. According to information gathered at the scene, the child had consumed a dough prepared with this flour the previous day; the source of the poisoning remains to be determined.
During the mourning ceremony held the same day at Visiki-Centre, several people reportedly consumed this paste before developing signs of poisoning.
They were taken to the Mambingi health center for treatment. Investigations are expected to determine the exact source of the poisoning and prevent any further cases.
January Kasereka Malikidogo
Nord-Kivu : 36 personnes hospitalisées après avoir consommé une pâte à base de farine de manioc - ITURI.CD
Une situation inhabituelle inquiète les habitants de Visiki-Mambombo, dans le groupement Baswagha-Madiwe, territoire de Beni, au Nord-Kivu. Au moins 36 personnes sont hospitalisées au centre de santé Mambingi, dans la zone de santé de Kalunguta, après avoir consommé une pâte préparée à base...
ituri.cd
Beni: 36 people hospitalized after suspected cassava flour poisoning
30.08.2026
At least 36 people are hospitalized in the Beni territory of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after consuming a paste made with cassava flour suspected of being contaminated, local sources said Saturday.
The victims are being treated at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone, according to these sources.
The case began on August 23 after the death of a child of about ten years old, identified as Justin, who had allegedly consumed the previous day a dough prepared with the flour in question.
Several people who attended the child's funeral at Visiki-Centre reportedly consumed the same preparation and developed symptoms of poisoning.
In total, four deaths have been reported since the start of the incident. Three members of the same family reportedly died after consuming the preparation. A fourth person, Kasereka Matchetche, an elderly woman, died on Friday at the Mabalako General Referral Hospital.
Tests carried out to look for Ebola virus disease have reportedly come back negative in the deceased and in hospitalized patients, according to civil society leaders.
The exact cause of the poisoning has not yet been established.
Representatives of civil society are calling on the relevant authorities to carry out analyses of the flour and food in question in order to determine the possible presence of toxic substances.
Two suspects wanted
Two men suspected of involvement in the case were reportedly arrested on Thursday by young people from Visiki-Centre. According to local sources, they confessed to poisoning a cassava stall in Kitholu.
After their arrest, they were reportedly brought before a local authority before managing to escape during the night.
This escape sparked tensions in Visiki, where young people gathered on Friday evening. Some reportedly also tried to retrieve the body of Kasereka Matchetche, who died in Mabalako, to bring it back to the town.
The situation on Saturday raised fears of acts of mob justice, according to the same sources.
The president of the civil society forces of Visiki-Mambombo, Tufurayi Musanzi, who allegedly participated in efforts to avoid mob justice against the suspects, has reportedly gone into hiding for fear of his safety.
Civil society groups are calling on authorities to strengthen security during Kasereka Matchetche's funeral, scheduled for Saturday in Visiki, and to protect those threatened in connection with this case.
They also call for an investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the poisoning and deaths.
Denise Kyalwahi
Opinion Info / MCP, via mediacongo.net
Actualité | Beni : 36 personnes hospitalisées après une intoxication présumée à la farine de manioc | mediacongo.net
Au moins 36 personnes sont hospitalisées dans le territoire de Beni, dans l'est de la République démocratique du Congo, après avoir consommé...
www.mediacongo.net
Beni: The death toll from the unusual situation in Visiki has risen from four to six; a thorough investigation is underway.
August 30, 2026
A meeting was organised on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Visiki-Centre, in the Visiki-Mambombo locality, Baswagha-Madiwe group, in the territory of Beni, following the unusual situation which affected several inhabitants of this entity.
The meeting was moderated by the civil society representatives of the Baswagha-Madiwe group, led by its president, Justin Paluku Kavalami, with the support of healthcare staff from the Mabalako health zone, led by the chief medical officer of the zone, Ezee Thembo.
The objective was, in particular, to further investigate the origin of this situation and to help ease tensions within the community, while preparations for the burial of Kasereka Matchetche, one of the victims who consumed a paste made from flour suspected of causing the poisonings, were underway.
On this occasion, civil society representatives commended the behavior of the young people of Visiki-Centre, who facilitated the work of the healthcare professionals. The latter collected various samples for further analysis.
For civil society, the results of these analyses are particularly awaited by the community, which wants to know the truth about the circumstances of these deaths and see any responsibilities established.
Civil society is calling for assistance to families
Faced with the consequences of this situation, civil society leaders are also calling for enhanced medical care and humanitarian assistance for the affected families.
According to Justin Paluku Kavalami, many of the affected households are in a highly vulnerable situation. Some families have more than three, or even four, people hospitalized simultaneously, making it difficult to cover medical expenses.
Two new deaths recorded this weekend
The situation remains worrying. A fifth death was recorded at the beginning of this weekend at the LIDE hospital in Masangi, in the Visiki-Mambombo area. The victim, identified as Mupila, was not among the 36 people previously recorded as ill and hospitalized.
Furthermore, a sixth death was reported on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29. This was Meru Musubao, secretary of the Visiki captaincy, who was among the 36 people hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, in the Kalunguta health zone.
Thus, two additional deaths were recorded over the weekend, bringing to six the number of people who have died in connection with this unusual situation, according to information communicated locally.
Among the 36 people hospitalized at the Mambingi health center, two are currently in critical condition, according to the same sources.
This development continues to cause concern, stress, and dismay among the population of Visiki. Local leaders and opinion leaders, for their part, continue to urge the population to remain calm while awaiting the results of medical tests that should determine the exact cause of this situation.
Thanks-Aiglon Mukanda Paluku
Beni : le bilan de la situation inhabituelle à Visiki passe de quatre à six morts, une enquête approfondie en cours - Radio Oasis Congo
Une rencontre a été organisée le samedi 29 août 2026 à Visiki-Centre, dans la localité Visiki-Mambombo, groupement Baswagha-Madiwe, en territoire de Beni, à la suite de la situation inhabituelle ayant affecté plusieurs habitants de cette entité. La rencontre a été modérée par les Forces vives de...
radio-oasis.cd