At least 18 people have been killed this week in Rwanda after storms triggered floods and landslides in the country's west. Some people are still missing, government said May 8, 2018.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees said that 15 people were killed in a landslide that hit the Rwankuba sector of Karongi district late Sunday, May 6. Two drowned in floodwaters while 1 was struck by lightning, he said, adding that several more are missing.
Several landslides have hit Karongi and nearby Rubavu, washing away homes and destroying farmland.
Heartbreaking. number of deaths from landslides in @KarongiDistr due to heavy rains that ravaged villages in #Rwankubasector last night growing. Our volunteers are working with authorities to provide first responder aid. We condole with families and friends of the deceased pic.twitter.com/FYWghOszY3
— Rwanda Red Cross (@Rwandaredcross) May 7, 2018
deaths in @KarongiDistr landslides which eroded homes in this beautiful district now at 17, 12 badly injured and 300 are homeless. #rainyseason in #Rwanda has been destructive and affected families will nurse wounds caused by losses for long, our volunteers are on field helping pic.twitter.com/fl5jLTdhoV
— Rwanda Red Cross (@Rwandaredcross) May 7, 2018
Min. @DeBonheurJeanne , governor @RwandaWest and other authorities join the population of Rwankuba sector @KarongiDistr to bury 15 people killed by landslide Sunday night. Other 3 were buried yesterday. pic.twitter.com/IMBym1zVCF
— MIDIMAR Rwanda (@MIDIMARRwanda) May 8, 2018
The ministry said that heavy rains and lightning strikes were frequent this year in Rwanda and are accounting for 183 deaths and 215 injuries.
Featured image: Landslide hits Rwanda on May 6, 2018. Credit: Rwanda Red Cross
