KINSHASA, Dec 30 Heavy gunfire erupted in
several areas of the Congolese capital
Kinshasa on Monday, including the
international airport and the military
headquarters, causing panic among residents.
Police also said amed youths had taken
hostage several reporters from the state
television station RTNC in Kinshasa.
Theres 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.
Shooting was heard near the Tshatshi military
camp as well as the international airport at Ndjili,
residents and a local journalist said.
A police spokesman said earlier that journalists at
RTNC had been taken hostage by armed youths,
and the television feed had been cut.
They are armed with machetes and guns. They
have taken reporters hostage. An operation is
under way to dislodge them, spokesman colonel
Mwana Mputu told AFP.
Before the stations 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.