A devastating landslide in eastern Congo has left at least 10 people dead, including eight children, and three others injured, following heavy rainfall in the region. The disaster occurred in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province, on Friday night, when torrential downpours triggered the landslide, local officials reported on Saturday.
Delphin Birimbi, president of the Kalehe civil society group, confirmed the death toll, noting that several homes were completely destroyed, and 31 others sustained serious damage. Additionally, widespread flooding has destroyed vital food plantations, further exacerbating the crisis in the region.
“The death toll remains provisional, and we expect it to rise as further assessments are made,” Birimbi said, urging immediate intervention from both the Congolese authorities and humanitarian organizations to assist the affected communities.
Residents of Kalehe have long been grappling with the impacts of climate change, which has led to frequent disasters, including landslides and flooding, causing substantial damage and loss of life. In April, a similar tragedy in southwest Congo killed at least 12 people when a ravine collapsed into a river due to heavy rains.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also reported widespread flooding in the eastern Ituri province, where rising water levels in Lake Albert have displaced around 55,000 people.
As the region faces ongoing environmental challenges, local communities and authorities continue to call for greater support and intervention to prevent further tragedies.