The forced landing was due to bad weather, the UN envoy said, stressing that it was baseless that the UN helicopter came under attack, or crashed.

The helicopter was slightly damaged, and the two crew members as well as the three passengers were not injured, according to the envoy.

Bordered with Uganda, Ituri is one of the most insecure regions in the DRC. More than 60,000 people have been killed, and over 500,000 have become destitute and homeless because of tribal conflicts since 1998.