12 killed, 100 missing in DR Congo floods

Twelve people were killed and 100 others went missing after a deluge from the residual lakes perched on Mt. Karisimbi, local press reported on Tuesday.

The flooding happened in Kibiriga, about 37 km from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the east of the Central African country.

The spokesman of the South Kivu provincial government, Celestin Cibomana, said rescuers from the Red Cross were sent to the flood- hit areas to seek survivor.

Cibomana said the flooding, which was caused by the break of the Shasha river bank, has blocked the road connecting Goma and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.

On Sunday, the interim North Kivu provincial governor, Feller Lutayichirwa Mulwahale, warned that the waters of the residual lakes perched on Mt. Karisimbi had increased due to heavy rains.

Ensuing floods were reported to cause losses of property, farmland and livestock.

The inhabitants of Kibiriga woke up at night floods which destroyed 232 houses.

Similar disasters from lakes perched on Mt. Mikeno and Karisimbi last reported in 1952.

The interim governor, who flew over the affected zone in a helicopter, called for national and international support avert any outbreak of diseases and help the homeless.

Source: Xinhua