At least 43 people including nine children were killed July 27 in a brutal overnight attack on a Catholic church in Komanda in eastern Congo.

A terrorist group linked to the Islamic State group targeted faithful participating in an all-night prayer vigil, opening fire and using machetes before looting homes and attacking others sheltering nearby.

Father Marcelo Oliveira, a Comboni missionary who has been in the Congo for many years, said the victims were part of a movement called Eucharistic Crusade and were participating in the prayer vigil as part of a summer formation camp.

“The attack occurred at around 1 o’clock in the morning. The rebels entered the church and murdered a large number of children, both inside the church building and in the compound,” he said.

The United Nations’ mission in Congo, MONUSCO, detailed the 43 killed in the church, saying they included 19 women, 15 men and nine children.

“These targeted attacks against defenseless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling but also in violation of all human rights standards and international law,” said Vivian van de Perre, A UN special representative in Congo.