According to the Red Cross, robbers in Guinea have stolen blood samples
believed to be infected with Ebola. The
samples, stored in tightly wrapped vials tucked into a cooler bag, were in the
care of a Red Cross courier who was among nine passengers sharing a taxi when
three men on a motorbike robbed the vehicle and took the samples.
The robbers forced the passengers out of the vehicle, stole mobile
phones, cash, jewellery, and fired into the air as they demanded the handover
of the cooler bag.
The courier was taking the blood samples on a 265km journey along winding rural roads from central Kankan prefecture to a test site in southern Gueckedou.
A spokesman for the Guinea Red Cross said their unit had shortage of
vehicles for transport, which explains why a taxi was used. No one was injured
in the incident, which took place on a road known for banditry. He said,
"We don't understand why they stole the blood sample. Perhaps they
thought there was cash hidden in the flask.’’
The incident is said to have been reported to the authorities. An authorities have publicly appealed to the
robbers to please hand in the blood samples.
The Ebola virus which has killed more than 5,000 people so far first
emerged in Guinea early this year and has affected more than 1,900 Guineans and
killed more than 1,200.
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