News / Africa
Armed youths take reporters hostage in DRC
31 Dec 2013 at 02:11hrs | Views
Kinshasa - Reporters from Congolese state television RTNC were taken hostage in Kinshasa on Monday by armed youths, police said.
"They are armed with machetes and guns. They have taken reporters hostage. An operation is under way to dislodge them," police spokesperson Colonel Mwana Mputu told AFP.
Before the station's television feed was cut, two young presenters were seen on screen, appearing frightened but calm, with a young man standing behind them seemingly threatening them.
Residents reported hearing gun shots ringing out from around the RTNC building.
"There's panic in the city, people are asking what is happening," a local resident told AFP, adding that he had seen police and military officers deploy around the RTNC building and the nearby Congolese parliament building.
"They are armed with machetes and guns. They have taken reporters hostage. An operation is under way to dislodge them," police spokesperson Colonel Mwana Mputu told AFP.
Before the station's television feed was cut, two young presenters were seen on screen, appearing frightened but calm, with a young man standing behind them seemingly threatening them.
Residents reported hearing gun shots ringing out from around the RTNC building.
"There's panic in the city, people are asking what is happening," a local resident told AFP, adding that he had seen police and military officers deploy around the RTNC building and the nearby Congolese parliament building.
Source - AFP
