The death toll from a landslide in Cameroon’s capital city of Yaounde rose to 27 on Monday, according to Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji. Dozens are still feared trapped under layers of mud and slush.
The landslide occurred at 20:00 local time (1900 GMT) on Sunday in the hilly neighborhood of Mbankolo in Yaounde after persistent heavy downpour. About 20 people wounded in the tragedy were receiving treatment in hospitals, and rescue operations were underway to save more lives, Nji told reporters during his visit to the disaster site.
Local authorities said ealier in the day that at least 13 people were killed in the landslide.
“Relief material is underway, and the government extends condolences to the bereaved families,” Nji said.
Yaounde is one of the wettest cities in Africa, with dozens of steep hills. Heavy rains have triggered several devastating floods throughout the country this year.
