Thread by @MirindiD

Gatwaro Stadium_
During the genocide against Tutsi in the first weeks of April 1994, thousands of Tutsi were displaced from their homes. Government officials directed many to take refuge in places such as schools, churches and stadiums.
#Kwibuka25
#GatwaroMemorial

In previous attacks, these types of locations had been safe shelters. But after that , they became extermination centers.

Kibuye, a town in the northwest corner of the country, was the site of two such massacres that resulted in the murder of thousands of Tutsi over four days.
#Kwibuka25
#GatwaroMemorial

Kibuye was Locked in (see Figure) between the prefectures of Gisenyi in the north, Gitarama in the east, Cyangugu in the south, and Lake Kivu in the west, the #Tutsi from Kibuye had nowhere to flee.
#Kwibuka25
#GatwaroMemorial

The first massacre occurred at the St. Jean Catholic Church and Home Complex which sits on a piece of land surrounded on three sides by Lake Kivu. By April 17, thousands of unarmed men, women and children, Tutsi, had taken refuge there.
#Kwibuka25
#GatwaroMemorial

Using guns, grenades, machetes, spears, cudgels and other weapons, members of the Gendarmerie Nationale, police from the Commune of Gitesi (where Kibuye town sited ), Interahamwe fighters, and armed civilians attacked and killed those who had gathered.

The second massacre happened at Gatwaro Stadium, located on the main road in Kibuye town. As with the Tutsi who gathered at the St. Jean Church and Home Complex, those who congregated at the stadium were told to go there by government officials. #Kwibuka25 #GatwaroMemorial

Once there,they were not allowed to leave. Without food or water, the captives ate grass.Gatwaro is located next to a steep hillside. On Apr 18, Gendarmerie Nationale soldiers; Gitesi Police; Interhamwe fighters & armed civilians surrounded the stadium &the neighbouring hillside.

gunshot in the air initiated the massacre. Men armed with guns were perched on top of the neighbouring hill and tried to shoot everyone in the stadium.When they started throwing grenades, everyone in the stadium lay down so a grenade hit would kill less people at once
#Kwibuka25

It was then that the stadium was gassed, which caused everyone laying down to stand up and start running around, making them easier targets. Thousands of Tutsi were killed that day. The next morning, the attackers returned and killed any who had survived. 
#Kwibuka25

The many of the few remaining survivors from those massacres fled to Bisesero.
#Kwibuka25
#GatwaroMemorial