A military training exercise took a tragic turn on Tuesday afternoon when a drone operated by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) crashed, injuring three students on their way home from school.
The incident occurred at around 1:40 p.m. in Rutsiro District. Hours later, the RDF confirmed in a statement that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was part of a routine training exercise. According to the military, the drone was “diverted due to adverse weather conditions,” causing it to lose control and crash.
Two of the injured students are being treated at Kivumu Health Centre, while a third, who suffered more serious injuries, was transferred to Murunda Hospital for advanced care.
“The Rwanda Defence Force extends its sympathy to the families of the injured children and deeply regrets the distress this incident has caused,” the RDF said in its statement.
The military added that it is working closely with local authorities and medical teams to ensure the victims receive proper care and pledged to provide “all necessary support” to the students and their families.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
