Cameroon floods: Archbishop of Yaounde prays for victims
By Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA
At least 30 people have died near Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, and dozens are missing after a dam burst causing a flash flood that swept away many houses.
Fr. Humphry Tata, the Communications Director for the Cameroonian Bishops’ Conference, spoke with Vatican News about the landslide that happened on Sunday night, 8 October.
A landslide caused by torrential rains at the community of Mbangkolo, a few kilometers outside of Yaounde, killed at least 30 people, injured 50 others, and destroyed around 30 homes.
Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration and the Minister of Housing have visited the site of the incident, said Fr. Tata.
“The incident was caused by heavy rain and run-off which destroyed a water retention dam at Nkol Etam, which in turn triggered a torrent of mud and flood waters down the slopes in the area to settlements of Mbankolo district below,” said the Minister of Territorial Administration.
Archbishop of Yaounde prays for victims
The Mbankolo community, where the landslide occurred, is within the territory of the Archdiocese of Yaounde.
Archbishop Jean Mbarga, the Archbishop of Yaounde, has expressed his sadness over the loss of lives and properties caused by the floods.
Fr. Tata expressed the heartfelt sorrow of the Archbishop and sent his condolences to all the affected families.
He also asked Christians to pray for the victims.
According to Fr. Tata, “The entire Church and the Bishops’ Conference of Cameroon is equally touched by the lives that have been lost.”
Rescue operations underway
Daouda Ousmanou, a government official in the district, said rescuers are still searching amid the debris and mud in the hopes of finding survivors.
He noted that rescuers have intensified the search for those missing following the deluge the previous day.
Children are among the victims, including several who were attending a birthday party.
The many homes and properties destroyed have left many residents devastated and uncertain about their recovery.
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