Investigation launched into attack on U.N.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 10 (UPI) -- An official inquiry into the attack on the U.N.-African Union force in Sudan is under way, according to an announcement Thursday by the United Nations.

A three-hour attack Tuesday on U.N.-AU officials in the volatile Darfur region of Sudan resulted in seven deaths, including five Rwandan peacekeepers and two police officers, the United Nations reported.

The United Nations announced the launch of a preliminary fact-finding investigation into the attack, to be conducted by a U.N. military and police team.

The attack also left 19 others wounded and resulted in the destruction of three U.N. vehicles. Officials say seven other vehicles were stolen.

"The perpetrators were on board 40 vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft weaponry and recoilless weapons," the release said.