The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced nationwide mourning last night after more than 120 people died in the capital Kinshasa.
The death toll is a candidate for an increase, with the Interior Ministry counting 120 deaths, but Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda claimed that the ministry had counted 141, but the figure was confirmed with other departments.
Officials reported casualties in various areas and communities in Kinshasa, particularly in valleys where houses were destroyed by landslides.
After the crisis meeting, Interior Minister Daniel Aselo announced three days of national mourning starting Wednesday, according to a statement from government leaders.
The floods caused extensive property damage and inundated 15 million boulevards in the capital.
Floods engulfed roads in the upmarket Gombe area, which includes ministries and embassies, and submerged the N-1 highway, which links Kinshasa to Matadi’s main port.
The road could remain closed for about three to four days, according to the government.
Knowing that Many houses in Kinshasa are collapsing hillside homes at risk of flooding, while the city’s sewers and sewage systems are not working well.