DRC: Death toll rises to more than 140 in Kinshasa floods.
AP — Kinshasa, Congo.
Authorities in Kinshasa confirmed Wednesday that more than 140 people have died in widespread floods and landslides. At least 12 others are still missing but the government is not optimistic anyone will be found alive.
“There is no hope of finding survivors,” Minister of Health Lisa Nembalemba told The Associated Press by phone. The government has announced three days of mourning … Some 12 million people live in the 24 neighbourhoods of Kinshasa hit by floods and landslides, which were triggered by heavy rains Monday night. The damage flooded nearly 40,000 houses and flattened nearly 300, said local authorities.
Infrastructure damage
Speaking from the United States where he's attending the U.S.-Africa summit, Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi said he felt sorrow when he heard about the damage and called on authorities to speed up recovery efforts.
Tshisekedi instructed his government to help grieving families. In addition to people losing their lives and their homes, the rains inflicted damage throughout the city. At least one main road into the capital was cut off and much of the city is still submerged in water. Some residents of Kinshasa say they weren't surprised by the flooding and deaths, saying the living conditions in those areas are bad.
"It is becoming increasingly urgent that the urban authority seriously focus on major construction in the city to minimise the magnitude of such natural disasters,” said Fridolin Ambongo, Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa.
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