Landslide hits a village in Congo, killing at least 200 people
A large landslide has swept over a fishing village on the banks of Lake Albert, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, killing at least 40 people. There are reports mentioning 60 casualties, but they are yet to be confirmed.
The slide hit the village of Tora on the banks of Lake Albert, Ituri province, officials said, adding that it was caused by heavy rain in recent weeks.
Pacifique Keta, deputy governor of Ituri province, told AFP on Thursday that part of a mountain engulfed "a fisherman's camp after heavy rains caused a landslide".
Keta said 28 bodies were buried on Wednesday and 12 more will be buried today. Four people are being treated at the Tshomia Hospital.
Five people have been rescued while efforts were under way with hundreds of other villagers missing, AlJazeera reported.
Gov. Abdallah Pene Mbaka said that teams are being sent to assess the damage. Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations are helping recover the bodies.
The death toll is expected to rise.
Update:
As of August 19, the death toll has risen to 200. The number is an estimate based on missing people and homes affected in the Tora village, Abdallah Pene Mbaka, governor of Ituri province, told AP news agency.
Mbaka said at least 50 houses were destroyed.
Featured image credit: Google
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