Torrential rains in eastern Congo triggered devastating floods that engulfed multiple villages near Lake Tanganyika, killing at least 62 people and leaving 50 others unaccounted for, authorities reported Saturday.
Residents recalled the water rising swiftly around 5 a.m. on Friday, sweeping away homes in the village of Kasaba, located in the Ngandja sector.
Théophile Walulika Muzaliwa, South Kivu’s provincial health minister, explained via phone that rescue efforts have been severely hindered due to limited infrastructure and disabled phone networks caused by the disaster.
RELATED STORIES
READ ALSO: Critics of Mali’s military government abducted – say families
“Sector chiefs, village chiefs and locality chiefs, who are also members of the local government, are on site. The only humanitarian organization currently present is the Red Cross. It is not possible to give an assessment as body searches are continuing,” he said.
Watch a recent episode of The BreakDown podcast below and subscribe to our channel PanaGenius TV for latest episodes.
The region is still reeling from deadly floods in Kinshasa just last month that claimed 33 lives.
Meanwhile, ongoing conflict between government forces and rebel groups in eastern Congo has intensified since February, deepening the already dire humanitarian emergency in the area.
READ ALSO: Togo opposition slams leader’s new role as ‘constitutional coup’ amid power restructuring
