20110205
reuters

KINSHASA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen attacked an airport in the southeastern province of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on Friday, killing one person and destroyed property, according to official sources.

The attackers attempted to take control of Luano airport in the provincial capital Lubumbashi, leaving one person dead and the airport partly damaged, provincial Interior Minister Jean-Marie Dikanga Kazadi told reporters.

They also wanted to take the city center, only to meet with resistance by the Democratic Republic of Congo's Armed Forces (FARDC) with the support of the Congolese National Police (PNC).

After the gunmen fled into the bush, FARDC continued to hunt them down. An investigation has been launched by the provincial authorities to identify the attackers.

Some local sources told Xinhua that they could be members of the Katanga Progressive Congress (CPK), a rebel movement fighting for the independence of Katanga province.

Officials said the situation has been brought under control, with normal activities resumed on Friday afternoon and the first flight taking off from Luano airport.