Torrential rains kill at least 49 in Rwanda

KIGALI, Rwanda

At least 49 people have died in landslides triggered by torrential rains in northern Rwanda, an official statement said on Monday.

“The night 8 May, heavy rains caused landslides in different parts of Rwanda resulting in the loss of human lives and destruction. Forty-nine deaths were recorded,” the statement issued by the Rwandan government read.

"Over 500 houses were completely destroyed and various road sections are unusable in the country," it added.

According to local sources, rescue operations were continuing Monday morning to find missing people.

Heavy rains have fallen for several days in the Gakenke district, causing landslides and burying several houses on Sunday, Wilfried Bigereya, an administrative official told Anadolu Agency.

Most of the victims were children Bigereya said, adding that the death toll was provisional as rescue operations were still ongoing.

The geographical location of Rwanda, a country made up of hills and valleys, makes it particularly vulnerable to landslides.

Despite the government’s efforts to reduce their frequency, landslides since the beginning of the year have killed at least 60 people, according to official sources.