Death toll from floods, landslides reaches 130 in Rwanda
The death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains across Rwanda reached 130 on Thursday, authorities said.
Alain Mukuralinda, Rwanda’s deputy government spokesperson said at least 130 people were killed in western, northern and southern provinces of the country following a heavy downpour which pounded the country on Tuesday overnight.
At least 77 people were injured, including 33 who are admitted in health facilities, Mukuralinda told national broadcaster.
The rains also destroyed more than 5000 houses, leaving residents homeless-- with Rubavu, Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu and Ngororero among the most hit districts, he said.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, along with other government officials, joined residents of Rubavu district in western Rwanda for burial of the victims.
President Paul Kagame in a condolence message to the families of the victims said the government was doing everything within its means to address the difficult situation.
“I am personally following up the response closely,” he said.
Kagame commended the country’s security and armed forces together with civil and other institutions for the “incredible work they have been doing all around the clock to help manage the disastrous weather effects.”
United always we shall prevail, he said on Twitter.
It rained Tuesday overnight in several parts of western and northern Rwanda, Marie Solange Kayisire, the minister for emergency management said.
On Wednesday the death toll stood at 109 people, including 95 in the Western Province and 14 in the Northern Province.
The rain also destroyed hectares of crops.
Kayisire said relief efforts were ongoing to provide temporary shelter to those rendered homeless.
The rain also triggered flooding in western Rwanda after River Sebeya burst its banks, Geoginah Mutabazi, a resident of Rubavu said.
Some of the victims died after their houses collapsed, she said.
The Rwanda Meteorological Agency on Tuesday forecast beyond-average rains and extreme weather-related events in some parts of the country during the first 10 days of May.
More than 60 people were killed and 158 injured by climate change-induced disasters in Rwanda from January to April 20 this year, official data showed.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed condolences.
“We are deeply saddened that more than 100 people have lost their lives due to the landslides and floods caused by heavy rains on 2 May 2023 in the Western and Northern Provinces of the Republic of Rwanda,” the statement said.
Ankara has expressed condolences and solidarity to the families of those who have lost their lives as well as to the people and Government of Rwanda, the ministry added.
