Death Toll Rises to 62 Amid Flooding Catastrophe in Eastern Congo

A recent flood in Eastern Congo has resulted in at least 62 confirmed deaths and 50 missing individuals. The South Kivu provincial health minister reported that search and rescue efforts are significantly hindered, and the region’s infrastructure remains vulnerable due to ongoing conflicts. This catastrophe adds to the existing humanitarian crisis in the area.

At least 62 individuals are confirmed dead, with 50 others reported missing following devastating floods that struck the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The floods hit particularly hard in South Kivu province, overwhelming villages along Lake Tanganyika last Friday around 5 a.m. local time, as per local officials, creating chaos and destruction in the area.

Witnesses have shared that surging waters swiftly engulfed the village of Kasaba, uprooting homes and severing communication lines. The cause of this disaster has been attributed to torrential rain, which has had a significant impact on the province.

Theophilus Walulika Muzaliwa, the health minister for South Kivu, spoke to Arab News, emphasizing the challenges faced in search and rescue operations. He noted, “The only humanitarian organization currently present is the Red Cross. It is not possible to give an assessment as body searches are continuing.”

In recent weeks, the country has faced similar destructive weather; just prior to this incident, 33 people lost their lives in Kinshasa due to heavy rainfall. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the region, primarily a result of escalating violence between the government and various armed groups since February.

The impact of these floods further strains an already challenged infrastructure across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The overall situation continues to worsen as the United Nations has identified the current circumstances as one of the world’s steepest humanitarian crises, leaving many vulnerable and in dire need of assistance.

The floods in Eastern Congo have tragically claimed at least 62 lives, with continuing search efforts for the 50 still unaccounted for. The situation is dire, compounded by a climate of armed conflict that further complicates humanitarian efforts. Provincial health minister Theophile Walulika Muzaliwa highlighted the difficulties in rescuing victims, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by the region in light of recent weather-related disasters.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr