At least 17 people have been killed by a landslide in the northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo caused by torrential rains, authorities say, warning that the toll could rise as rescuers sift through mud and the rubble of collapsed homes.
The disaster took place on Sunday along the Congo River in the town of Lisal in Mongala province, according to Matthieu Mole, president of the civil society organisation Forces Vives. The victims lived in homes that were built at the foot of a mountain.
Poverty and poor infrastructure have made communities in such areas more vulnerable to extreme weather such as heavy rains, which are becoming more frequent and intense in Africa due to climate change, United Nations climate experts said.
The disaster took place on Sunday along the Congo River in the town of Lisal in Mongala province, according to Matthieu Mole, president of the civil society organisation Forces Vives. The victims lived in homes that were built at the foot of a mountain.
Poverty and poor infrastructure have made communities in such areas more vulnerable to extreme weather such as heavy rains, which are becoming more frequent and intense in Africa due to climate change, United Nations climate experts said.
