Protesting African Students Attack Belgian Embassy Over Lumumba Death | Cairo | Feb 1961

Sunday, February 12th 1961.

Footage of African students angered by reports of the death of former Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba.

Reuters Text:

"The Belgian Embassy in Cairo, United Arab Republic, was littered with bricks and broken glass February 12 after a mob of some 300 African students, shouting "Murderers of Lumumba", attacked the building.

Police prevented the students - enraged after hearing of the death of deposed Premier Patrice Lumumba - from climbing over the railing and arrested four of them.

Belgian Ambassador, M. Maurice d'Eeckhoutte, had been sitting in his first-floor study with his wife when bricks were hurled through the window.

M. d'Eeckhoutte said "They started throwing things and my wife and I left the room. ..as soon as I heard the word Lumumba I knew who they were. I shall be protesting to the United Arab Republic Foreign Ministry about this.

Katanga Minister of the Interior, Mr. Munongo, said Feb 13 that Mr. Lumumba and two companions were "massacred" by villagers after escaping from custody in Katanga."

Source: Reuters News Archive.

Note:

Lumumba was not "massacred" by villagers after escaping from custody in Katanga. He was executed by a firing squad commanded by a Belgian officer and his body later dissolved in sulphuric acid by two Belgian police officials.