At least 12 lives have been lost, and over 50 individuals remain unaccounted for following a devastating landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in southwest Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by a local official and a representative of civil society on Sunday.
The catastrophe unfolded around midday on Saturday within the confines of Dibaya Lubwe commune in Kwilu province.
The collapse of a ravine sent torrents of clay and debris crashing down onto the banks of the Kasai River, coinciding with the docking of a boat and locals engaging in routine activities such as washing clothes.
Felicien Kiway, the interim provincial governor, confirmed the retrieval of 12 bodies from the debris, comprising nine women, three men, and an infant.
“Around 50 individuals are still unaccounted for, and our search efforts persist amidst the clay,” he remarked, expressing grim prospects for locating survivors given the passage of 12 hours since the incident.
Arsene Kasiama, coordinator of a local civil society group, revealed that the landslide also engulfed individuals present at a nearby market.
He cited a death toll of 11, with seven individuals sustaining severe injuries and over 60 people yet to be located.
The tragedy underscores the susceptibility of Congolese communities to such calamities, attributed to inadequate urban planning and fragile infrastructure nationwide.
Climate experts further note that escalating temperatures are fueling more frequent and severe rainfall events across Africa, exacerbating the vulnerability of populations in the region.
