Human remains have been exhumed at a construction site near Rwanda’s Mount Meru petrol station in Kicukiro District, Kigali City. The discovery was confirmed by Hydayat Mukandahiro, the Executive Secretary of Kicukiro Sector.
According to Mukandahiro, the revelation came to light on Thursday, August 31, as excavation works were underway at the site.
She said: “In light of the recent discovery, there’s been one body found so far, along with clothing and a vintage-looking passport photo. We are collaborating with authorities such as IBUKA (an umbrella body of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi’s association) to determine whether this discovery is indeed remains of a victim of the Genocide. Additionally, we are in close coordination with survivors from the area, seeking any valuable information they may have.”
“At the moment construction work has been halted, and if any further information emerges suggesting that bodies were thrown there in 1994, excavation efforts may be initiated to uncover more remains. A meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 2, involving both authorities and Genocide survivors. Following this meeting, we will determine the next steps forward,” she said.
In addition to the human remains, the discovery included a small book, a passport photo, as well as clothing and shoes.
Mount Meru petrol station is close to Rwanda Polytechnic IPRC Kigali, former Ecole Technique Officielle (ETO) where the Belgian contingent withdrew abandoning over 10,000 refugees who had sought refuge at the college during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
