MADRID 30 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The death toll due to landslides caused by heavy rains since Wednesday in several towns in eastern Uganda has increased to 20, as confirmed by the authorities, who have stated that more than a hundred people remain. missing, so they do not rule out that the number of deaths will rise in the coming hours.
“The death toll has increased to 20, following the recovery of 19 bodies and the unfortunate death of a survivor in hospital,” the Ugandan Red Cross said on its X social network account.
According to data from the humanitarian agency, the landslide has left 220 homes affected and 125 “totally” destroyed. In addition, 750 people have been displaced.
For his part, the police spokesperson for the Elgon region, Rogers Taitika, has detailed, as reported by the newspaper ‘Monitor’, that 113 people are still missing and that the search team’s efforts are active to try to locate them.
“The Police, together with other sister security agencies and with the help of the local community, have intensified rescue operations, which are, however, hampered by impassable roads,” Taitika said. The affected towns are Masugu, Namachele, Natola, Namagugu and Tagalu.
Last Thursday, the head of Natural Resources in the Bulambuli district, Sarah Madada, had detailed that the mudslides took place during the day on Wednesday, before stating that the authorities will proceed to evacuate people from the area because The rains continue to hit the place.
Finally, Madada noted that “the situation is worrying” and added that “immediate responses are necessary.” Hundreds of people were already displaced from the area in October due to several landslides in the area.