The Rwandan Genocide

Death of President Habyarimana

Apr 6, 1994

President Habyarimana is killed when his plane is shot out of the sky, marking the start of the genocide.

The Purge Begins

Apr 7, 1994

Hutu extremists begin massacring political opponents, including prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana.

The Genocide

Period: Apr 7, 1994 to Jul 14, 1994

Massacre at Gikondo

Apr 9, 1994

About 110 Tutsis are killed in the Pallottine mission church at Gikondo, Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. This is the first large-scale Tutsi massacre of the genocide.

Nyarubuye Massacre

Apr 15, 1994

Around 2,000 Tutsis are massacred at the Nyarubuye Roman Catholic Church with rifles, grenades, and machetes.

Kibuye Massacres

Apr 18, 1994

Tutsis are slaughtered en masse in the city of Kibuye. Notably, around 12,000 are murdered at the Gatwaro stadium and another 50,000 at Bisesero. Death looms over the city.

Tutsis Flee to Tanzania

Apr 28, 1994

Around 250,000 Tutsi refugees begin to flee to Tanzania to escape the genocide.

Victory at the Presidential Palace

May 23, 1994

The Rwandan Patriotic front makes steady gain southwards and captures the Presidential Palace, stopping killings along the way.

The Genocide Ends

Jul 15, 1994

The Rwandan genocide finally ends when the Rwandan Patriotic Front fully takes control of Rwanda. 800,000 Rwandans lay dead.