Europeans Evacuated

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 17

Europeans Evacuated

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) KINSHASA, July 26. Fifty Belgian women and children have asked to be evacuated from the northern Congo city of Kisangani, formerly Stanleyville, where Katangese troops have rebelled against the central Government. Belgians in Kinshasa, formerly Leopoldville, said the demand was being studied by the Belgian Embassy. Last night 44 Europeans were evacuated in two planes. The evacuees, mostly missionaries and their families, included all 18 Americans in Kisangani and nine of the 14 Britons. There were four Italians, three Portuguese, two Belgians, three West Germans, two Dutch, one Swiss, one Dane, and bne Canadian. The evacuees said sporadic shooting continued as they were driven to the airport last night. The missionaries said the

400 whites remaining in Kisangani appeared to be in no immediate danger. They said mutinous troops held the right bank of the city on the Congo river, including the main administrative buildings, shopping and commercial centres, the white

residential area and the airport. They said the troops were Jigging in. Congolese National Army troops were confined to the river’s left bank, which consisted mostly of the African residential areas, they said. Shooting across the river was fairly heavy, they said. The casualties among Congolese and Katangans was 10. Eight were reported wounded. The same unconfirmed resorts said the dead included Colonel Joseph Tytatsi, com•nander of the Government :orce.