Flood In DR Congo Kills Nearly 200 Persons

Nearly 200 people have been killed in flash floods in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Théo Kasi, South Kivu governor, said heavy rains had fallen in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi and caused rivers to overflow on Thursday.

Kasi pegged the death toll at 176 on Friday and said others were still missing. However, Reuters reports that Kasole Martin, a local civil society member, said 227 bodies had been found.

“People are sleeping out in the open, schools and hospitals have been swept away,” Martin was quoted to have said.

Robert Masamba, a doctor, said injured survivors had been streaming in since Thursday evening.

“My team and I have not slept. We have received 56 patients, 80 percent of which have fractures,” he said.

President Félix Tshisekedi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a tweet.

“The Head of State, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi presents his sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the torrential rains, which caused devastating damage, from May 3 to 4, 2023, in Bushushu and Minova, in the Territory of Kalehe (South Kivu ),” he said.