Highlights: torrential rains in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have left 176 dead, 57 wounded interned, at least 100 missing. Villages submerged when rivers burst their banks, taking houses with them. In other places, buildings, schools, health centers have been buried by mudslides. Authorities declared nationwide mourning on May 8 across the DRC to pay tribute to the victims of the natural disaster. The road between Bushuru and Nyamukubi is cut off in several places, drinking water sources have been damaged and fields destroyed.

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, torrential rains have left 176 dead, 57 wounded interned, at least 100 missing, according to the provisional assessment given Friday night by the governor...

DRC: more than 150 dead and a hundred missing after torrential rains in South Kivu

Many residents and their homes were swept away by the rains in Lake Kivu. Here, a view of this lake, from the city of Bukavu, November 5, 2021. © Guerchom Ndebo / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

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Around 18pm Thursday evening, May 4, torrential rains began to fall, a real deluge that lasted about 2 hours.

Several villages were partially destroyed, but the greatest damage was recorded in Chabondo, Bushuru and Nyamukubi on the shores of Lake Kivu. Villages submerged when rivers burst their banks, taking houses with them. In other places, buildings, schools, health centers have been buried by mudslides.

Provisional toll: 176 dead, 57 wounded interned, at least 100 missing and houses crushed by water and stones carried by rivers " wrote on Twitter Friday night the governor of South Kivu, Theo Kasi who published photos.

The Gvmt prov covers funeral expenses and the injured. Medicines, shelter, food and non-food items were delivered to the site, 1st assistance. Appropriate measures will be taken to prevent such a tragedy and let us all mobilize in the face of this disaster. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/Pf5Eg9LIvB

— Theo KASI (@TheoKASI) May 5, 2023

Throughout Friday, civil society and local authorities tried to help survivors and remove bodies buried under the mud. And this even aboard a pirogue.

Delphin Birimbi of the civil society of Kalehe, testifies to this tragedy. Many people are missing, he explains:

« There are still many, many bodies, there are others who have gone into the lakes, since their houses were swept into the lakes with the landslides. The highest number are the bodies that have remained mired in the earth. In any case, the toll is much heavier. »

Property damage is also significant. The road between Bushuru and Nyamukubi is cut off in several places, drinking water sources have been damaged, fields destroyed and many houses razed, forcing "many families to spend the night under the stars", says Martin Kasole of civil society.

Civil society on Friday night called on the authorities to release funds to help the survivors.

Authorities declared nationwide mourning on May 8 across the DRC to pay tribute to the victims of the natural disaster.

DRC: more than 150 dead and a hundred missing after torrential rains in South Kivu

DRC: more than 150 dead and a hundred missing after torrential rains in South Kivu

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