Disasters & Accidents

Death toll in rains rises to 402 in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa, May 8 (EFE).- The death toll from the recent torrential rains in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to at least 402, local authorities told EFE on Monday.

Heavy rainfall caused floods, floods and landslides in Kalehe territory, located in South Kivu province.

“We just woke up and started the excavations with the support of our friends of the Red Cross and several volunteers,” Kalehe administrator Thomas Bakenga told EFE early morning.

“Two bodies have just been found, pulled from the rubble, giving us a provisional balance of 402 bodies,” Bakenga said.

“We are in great need of help from the authorities and the people. This disaster is really serious,” the administrator stressed.

In light of this tragedy, the government decreed Monday as a day of national mourning in memory of the victims, some of whom perished in the villages of Bushushsu, Nyamukubi and Chavondo, which continue to be the most affected by the natural disaster.

The soil in the DRC is vulnerable to erosion, and heavy rainfall often leads to disasters of a high magnitude like the current one. EFE

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