A Swiss geologist and a local miner were killed on Thursday in the Central African Republic, located north of the capital city of Bangui. The local public prosecutor's office confirmed the fatalities on Monday.
The victims, identified as Luca Maggini and an unnamed local miner, were abducted by unidentified assailants during the evening. Frédéric Pounou, a colleague who was working with the geologist at the time of the incident, stated that the abduction occurred as Maggini was departing the area. According to Pounou, "It was as he was leaving that he fell into the hands of the attackers."
The kidnapping and subsequent killings took place in the vicinity of Gbango-Carriere, a village situated approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) north of Bangui. The prosecutor's office further reported that a staff sergeant serving in the Central African Army was also kidnapped during the attack.
Maggini was employed by ADMOG Gold, an Emirati-based firm that holds various contracts within the country. The Central African Republic has struggled with persistent instability for years and is noted as one of the nations where the Russian mercenary group Wagner first established a presence in Africa.
