Cameroon’s capital city, Yaounde, has been struck by a devastating disaster as heavy rainfall triggered landslides, claiming the lives of nearly 30 people. The incident occurred on October 9, 2023, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Rescue efforts are underway, but the situation remains dire, with dozens of individuals still missing.
Torrential rain in the region caused a section of a hillside, dotted with precarious dwellings, to collapse, resulting in a tragic loss of lives and property.
According to various local media reports, officials have confirmed that at least 27 people have lost their lives, while many others remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations, although hampered by ongoing floods, have been relentless in their search for survivors.
There are grave concerns that the death toll may rise further, with some estimates suggesting it could be as high as 40 due to the number of missing individuals. Residents have been compelled to use their bare hands to extract bodies from the debris, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The impoverished neighborhood of Mbankolo has been one of the hardest-hit areas. Reports indicate that torrential rainfall led to the rupture of a dam that contained a man-made lake situated at higher ground, exacerbating the disaster.
Paul Atanga Nji, the Minister of Territorial Administration, visited the site and confirmed the death toll, emphasizing that the houses were constructed in a perilous location. He stated, “Yesterday we pulled out 15 people who had died, and this morning we have found eight. We are still looking.”
Housing and Urban Development Minister Celestine Ketcha Court assured that rescue teams would continue their tireless efforts throughout the day to locate missing individuals.
Local residents, exhausted and heartbroken, have been seen carrying the bodies of victims on a large sheet. Images broadcast on television depict the aftermath of the disaster, with a significant portion of the hillside collapsing, leaving behind houses constructed from wood, dried earth bricks, and metal sheeting.
Daouda Ousmanou, a local administrative official, described the catastrophe, saying, “There was a landslide after heavy rain. The water swept away everything in its path.” Cyprien Djou, a local town hall official, added, “We’ve seen the wall, which had been built by the Germans to contain the water, buckle under the pressure. The lake completely overflowed onto the homes built on the hillside.”
As the rescue operations continue and the community grapples with this tragedy, the nation mourns the loss of lives and remains united in the face of adversity.
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Source: NDTV
