A mass grave of people, some of whom were beheaded, was discovered in Ituri province in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, AFP reports citing local authorities.

The burial was found on May 26 by an army patrol on the banks of the Ituri River in the Irumu region, AFP notes. It contained 17 bodies. Some of them were beheaded. According to the representative of the community of the village, these are civilians taken hostage by militants from the Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) group.

Provincial authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

In the province of Ituri, a state of siege has been in effect since May 2021, which was introduced by the President of Congo. By the decision of the head of state, the civil administration in Ituri was replaced by a military one. A similar regime applies to the neighboring province of North Kivu. Additional military forces have been deployed to both regions.