17 dead, 1 missing as more flooding hits Morocco and Algeria

More floods produced by violent rains continued sweeping across Africa, leaving 17 dead in Morocco and one missing in Algeria on September 8, 2019.

Initial reports stated that at least 11 people were killed when a bus was overturned by floodwaters on a bride in Errachidia Province, Morocco. However, the numbers have gone up to 17 according to authorities.

Six corpses were discovered in the site of the incident while 11 bodies were found during the search operations.

29 other passengers received injuries but are now in a better condition after they had been transferred to a hospital in the same city.

The bus driver who was feared missing turned himself in for treatment at the hospital on September 9, 2019. Authorities assure that they will conduct questioning afterward.

Injured passengers have given their statement to the media, saying "we were on the road when, all of a sudden, we were surrounded by water," while another survivor said, "the bus couldn't go forward or backward anymore, it just toppled over."

According to the Morocco Press Agency (MAP), the bus was en route from Casablanca to Rissani when it was hit by floods when it passed by the Oued Damchan bridge in El Khank commune.

This is the fourth flood-related incident in Morocco since August. Just later that month, eight people died after floods attacked in a football match in Taroudant region.

Meanwhile, one person has been reported missing after flash floods hit the province of Bechar, Algeria, on September 7, 2019.

Algeria Press Service (APS) stated that torrential rains brought floods that overflowed in the border town of Beni-Ounif which was 100 km (61 miles) north of Bechar.

Search operations are being conducted to find the missing person, alongside local volunteers.

Harsh storms and floods have been hitting the country this summer. Earlier in September, around 40 residents were rescued from floods in northern Algeria. Rainfall of 127 mm (5 inches) hit Skikda city, which was four times the monthly average for September.

Julie Celestial

This author does not have any more posts.