Kinshasa – A joint American-British expedition investigating rumored lost artifacts in the dense, unexplored interior of the Congo Basin has been thrown into chaos following a devastating and seemingly inexplicable attack by a large troop of gorillas. Initial reports indicate a significant loss of life and several members of the team remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts struggle to penetrate the increasingly hostile jungle.

The ambush occurred late yesterday afternoon, approximately 15 miles northeast of the expedition’s base camp near the Lombe River. According to eyewitness accounts, the gorillas, estimated to number over thirty, descended upon the team’s convoy of vehicles with startling speed and ferocity. The attack, described by surviving team members as “instantaneous and brutal,” involved coordinated assaults utilizing both physical force and a surprising degree of tactical awareness.

“It wasn’t just a charge,” stated Dr. Alistair Finch, the expedition’s lead anthropologist, in a brief satellite phone interview. “They moved with a level of coordination I’ve never witnessed in my decades studying primates. They targeted vehicles, using branches and vines to disable them, and then… they simply overwhelmed us. It was terrifying.”

The gorillas’ actions appear to have been specifically aimed at disrupting the expedition’s progress. While the exact motives remain unknown, speculation is mounting that the animals were protecting a specific area of the jungle, possibly connected to the artifacts the team was pursuing.

The immediate consequences are dire. At least seven members of the expedition have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained serious injuries. Medical teams are currently attempting to stabilize the wounded, but conditions are rapidly deteriorating due to the remote location and the ongoing threat of further attacks.

“We’re dealing with a level of aggression we simply didn’t anticipate,” commented Major Ben Carter, the expedition’s security lead. “These aren’t your average gorillas. They’re… organized. It’s like they’ve been waiting for us.”

The Congolese government has dispatched a contingent of military personnel to secure the area and assist in the rescue operation. However, the dense jungle and the gorillas’ apparent determination to defend their territory are presenting significant obstacles. The fate of the remaining expedition members, and the potential discovery of the lost artifacts, remain uncertain as the situation unfolds.