Flood: 43 dead, 3,000 displaced in DR Congo
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed the death of 43 people and the displacement of nearly 3,000 people in the massive flood that swept through Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
The government said Tuesday, it is making efforts to provide relief to the thousands of displaced persons.
Most of the fatalities in the overnight Friday to Saturday disaster were caused by collapsing walls or drowning.
The disaster occurred after the Ndjili River burst its banks, triggering flooding and landslides in the capital and several neighborhoods after heavy downpours.
A statement from the Interior and Security Ministry said the latest report shows that 43 people were killed while 46 others who were injured remain hospitalized at various health facilities.
It added that nearly 3,000 people displaced by the disaster are sheltering at various temporary sites.
The communes bordering the Ndjili River were the most impacted by the heavy flooding, including Ndjili and Masina.
Congo government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said even when residents living in high risk zones resisted relocation previously, displaced citizens will no longer be able to return to live in their damaged homes to avoid possible similar consequences in the future.
He said that President Felix Tshisekedi has stressed the need for sustainable housing in the capital.
Flooding regularly affects Kinshasa. In 2022, at least 100 people were killed during similar flooding in the capital.
