Two European tourists, a German and an Austrian traveling by road were kidnapped by members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and thereafter rescued by MONUSCO peacekeepers.

The incident took place at the beginning of January about 80km north-east of the city of Goma, precisely at Kisheguru, a locality situated in the territory of Rutshuru.

Alerted over the kidnapping of one of its nationals, the German Embassy got in touch with MONUSCO which, in turn, informed members of its nearest military base in Kiwandja.

A rescue operation was immediately launched in the district of Kisheguru and caught red-handed the FDLR elements who, without putting up any resistance, released the two hostages and their vehicle.

But MONUSCO on its website says the two unfortunate tourists lost all their personal belongings including $ 4,000, credit cards, laptops and one GPS.

Both tourists were transferred to MONUSCO base in Beni.