Death of a heroine of the Rwandan genocide

A Rwandan woman who saved the lives of more than 100 people during the 1994 genocide died. Zura Karuhimbi would be 93 years old, although some suggest she was over 100 years old.

Her husband and several of her children were killed during the genocide, but she deployed unusual methods to protect civilians from Interahamwe militiamen, most of whom were Tutsis.

It is estimated that at least 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during 100 days of bloodshed in 1994.

Mrs. Karuhimbi, a Hutu, hid dozens of people in her mud-walled house in the village of Musamo – including rescued babies on their dead mother’s back.

For his extraordinary bravery, President Paul Kagame then awarded him the Rwandan Medal of honour.

Some Rwandans paid tribute to him online: