This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
Published on November 27, 2019, a devastating flood hit Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming at least 39 lives.
Torrential rains overnight caused landslides near the University of Kinshasa, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.
At one site on University Avenue, in a southern suburb, at least three houses and a road collapsed into a ravine, leaving behind a trail of debris.
Rescue workers, led by Vice Governor Néron Mbungu, were working tirelessly to hunt for bodies and provide aid to those affected.
“Wherever we found death, we gave the mayors the means to bring the bodies to the morgue, and we also made available the means for the wounded to be taken to medical centres,” Vice Governor Mbungu said.
For many residents, the heavy rain started at 2am, lasting four hours and leaving them with little time to react.
Andre Mwamba, a resident whose house partially collapsed into the ravine, recounted the terrifying experience: “We started moving things out of the house at around six and then the house started sliding. The neighbours agreed to let us stay with them while we look for another place,” he told Reuters.
