Burundi : a family wiped out by a grenade explosion in Karusi, two dead and three seriously injured

SOS Médias Burundi

Karusi, August 4, 2026 – A family was wiped out in a grenade attack on the evening of Monday, August 3, in Nyagoba village, in the district of Karusi, Gitega province, in east-central Burundi. The head of the family and his son were killed on the spot, while his wife and their two daughters were seriously injured. The perpetrators of this attack were still being sought at the time of writing.

According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. Unidentified individuals threw a grenade at the home of Blaise Riyazimana while the entire family was gathered for dinner.

The head of the family, Blaise Riyazimana, and his son, Noël Gakizakimana, died on thespot.

The information was confirmed by Anaclet Ndihokubwayo, a local elected official from Nyagoba village. He indicated that the victim’s wife, Aline Murekersoni, and their two daughters, Jeanine Yihamashi and Bénigne Niyonkuru, were seriously injured.

The victims were initially taken to the Kiranda health center before being transferred to the Natwe Turashoboye Centenary Hospital in Karusi, where they are receiving treatment.

According to this local official, the entire family was having dinner when the grenade exploded. The motives for this attack remain unknown, and no leads were being prioritized at the time of writing.

The information gathered from Nyagoba village indicates that no suspects have yet been apprehended. Residents are demanding a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.

A climate of insecurity is causing concern

This attack comes just days after the discovery of the lifeless body of a young woman, approximately 25 years old, in the Cene mountain range, in Rubamvyi village, in the district and province of Gitega.

The information was confirmed by Therence Nduwayezu, deputy chief of Rubamvyi village. According to him, the victim had not yet been identified, and her body was already in an advanced state of decomposition when it was discovered.

After an examination by a judicial police officer, the body was buried on July 31 on the same mountain range.

Since July 26, at least five bodies have been found in Gitega province, according to a count by SOS Médias Burundi. These successive discoveries are fueling residents’ anxiety.

Gitega province regularly appears among the areas of Burundi where criminal activity is reported. In recent months, the discovery of bodies and violent attacks have been reported there, fueling concerns about the security situation.

Residents are calling on the authorities to strengthen security measures and expedite investigations so that the perpetrators of these crimes are identified and brought to justice.