Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio assassinated in an ambush in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci died



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The jeep convoy in which they were traveling was attacked by a group of as yet unidentified gunmen who opened fire on the vehicles in an attempt to kidnap the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luca Attanasio. This is how the diplomat himself lost his life, 44 years to complete, who leaves behind his wife and three daughters, the carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci, 30, and the driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling.

The group, consisting of seven people divided into three cars, was attacked around 10 in the morning near the city of Kanyamahoro, in the eastern part of the country, near Goma: “The perpetrators of the attack had the Italian diplomat as their main target,” some local media write. They traveled with him World Food Program “From Goma to visit Wfp’s school food distribution program a Rutshuru“Let the UN agency know that you specify:” Previously there was authorized trip on that road without a security escort“As can be seen in the photographs that show the use of unarmored jeeps in an area of ​​the country considered high risk.

The ambush took place “near Goma (North-Kivu) in the territory of Nyiragongo”, according to local media that add: “The Fardc”, that is, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo “, and the Virunga guards . National Park “. “The area is considered dangerous due to the presence of the rebels in particular Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (Fdlr) that ambush RN4 starting from the park ”, adds the site.

A high-ranking diplomat Kinshasa explained toAfp that Attanasio died “as a result of his injuries” after being hit by bullets fired by the assassins at the convoy.

“It is with deep pain that the Farnesina confirms the death, today in Goma, of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Luca Attanasio and a Carabinieri soldier. The ambassador and the soldier were traveling aboard a car in a convoy of World Food Program“Officially announced by the Chancellery.

The president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent his own message of condolence: “I received with consternation the news of the cowardly attack that a few hours ago affected an international convoy near the city of Goma, killing Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and his driver. The Italian Republic is in mourning for these State servants who lost their lives in the performance of their professional duties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In disapproving of this treacherous act of violence, all Italians gather in condolence around the families of the victims, to whom I wish to send my deepest condolences and greatest solidarity ”.

The first Minister, Mario draghi, expresses its deepest condolences and that of the Government. The Prime Minister and executive representatives cling to family members, Farnesina and Carabinieri’s colleagues, reads a note from Palazzo Chigi.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi di maio, learned the news of the death of the ambassador and the carabiniere while he was in the Cae di Brussels. Proved immense pain for what happened. The minister, after informing his colleagues in the EU of the tragic event, has decided to leave the work of the CEE soon and is currently returning to Italy. “I learned with consternation and immense pain of the death today of our Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of a Carabinieri soldier – declared Di Maio – Two state servants who were violently torn from us in the line of duty. The circumstances of this brutal attack are not yet known and no effort will be spared to shed light on what happened. Today the State laments the loss of two of its exemplary children and gathers around families, friends and colleagues in the Farnesina and the Carabinieri ”.



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