Two South African peacekeepers who were serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) were injured, one seriously, in an attack on a UN helicopter on Friday 2 Feb 2024. The helicopter was carrying out a medical evacuation when it came under fire from presumed members of the M23 armed group in the Karuba region, located in Masisi territory, North Kivu province approximately 25 km north of Goma.
The Oryx helicopter was able to land safely in the provincial capital, Goma, and the peacekeepers received medical treatment. The Oryx was hit over 40 times and was badly damaged, with multiple rounds going through the cabin, cockpit, and main rotor blades, and causing damage to the hydraulic system. Maj Jannie Augustyn, the pilot, and a military medic were wounded.
