At least 50 killed by floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo

At least 50 people have died in the past days due to extensive floods in the southwest regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo after days of intense rain, local authorities told EFE on Thursday.


Since Monday, the torrential rains have caused the Congo River, one of the largest in the world, to burst its banks, causing widespread floods in many nearby villages and towns.

"There has been substantial damage reported," said Jacques Mbadu, central Congo provincial governor. "Over 50 homes have been destroyed, vehicles have been swept away and many children have disappeared," Mbadu said.

He confirmed there were over fifty deaths and that the death toll could increase.

Also, hundreds of people had to flee their villages after seeing how heavy rains destroyed their homes.

Some districts of the strategic trade and commerce port town of Boma _ located on the Congo river 100 kilometers (62 miles) upstream from the Atlantic ocean _ continued under water or submerged in mud.

The deluge has provoked an ongoing national alert.
 EFE
29/12/16
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