In Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, recent calamities have led to significant loss of life, with the death toll now standing at 77, and over 100 individuals reported missing. This unfortunate situation stems from both severe flooding and a series of separate boat accidents.
In the Equateur province, located in the northwest, authorities have confirmed the recovery of 48 bodies. This follows a tragic incident last Wednesday when three boats capsized on Lake Tumba due to harsh weather conditions. The Ministry of Interior disclosed that 107 passengers remain unaccounted for, although nearly 50 people have been successfully rescued.
Meanwhile, in Kinshasa, devastating floods and landslides have resulted in the confirmed deaths of 29 individuals. The heavy rains over the weekend created a chaotic situation, isolating certain areas of the city and submerging numerous homes. According to accounts from local residents, the impact of the natural disaster was starkly visible, as collapsing walls led to tragic fatalities.
One affected resident, Clovis Kalenga, described the harrowing experience, recalling a loud noise at around 3 a.m., followed by the collapse of a neighbor’s wall, which resulted in the deaths of a couple residing there.
Efforts to recover and rebuild have commenced in Kinshasa, with work underway to repair essential infrastructure, including a damaged bridge, in the affected neighborhoods. Local reports have confirmed these developments as the community strives to restore normalcy.
In Equateur province, a government delegation has been dispatched to orchestrate the humanitarian aid and response efforts. In addition, the authorities have emphasized their focus on enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience strategies to better equip communities against future disasters.