More than 100 people have died in the village of Kasaba, located near the shores of Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after severe flooding caused by torrential rains and strong winds.
The disaster occurred between Thursday night and Friday, with the Kasaba river overflowing its banks.
Local official Samy Kalodji confirmed the devastating reports, stating that the affected area in South Kivu province remains under the administration of Kinshasa and is not among the zones taken by M23 rebels.
The flooding comes at a vulnerable time for the Central African nation, which is grappling with a surge in violence.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have intensified their offensive in the eastern region since the start of the year, with thousands reportedly killed in fighting during the first two months of 2025.
The remote location of Kasaba, accessible only via Lake Tanganyika and lacking mobile phone network coverage, may delay humanitarian relief efforts.
As of now, 62 deaths have been confirmed, with 30 people injured.