At least 18 people have died and several homes destroyed after a landslide struck the village of Kashebere in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following heavy overnight rainfall, local sources told AFP on Tuesday.
Kashebere, located about 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of the provincial capital Goma, lies in an area largely outside government control due to the advance of the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.
Emile Kubuya, a local administrator who has fled to a government-held area of North Kivu, said: “Eighteen bodies have been found and 11 remain missing.”
Resident Ombeni Kishuba added: “In total, 34 people were swallowed up in the village, but we managed to recover 22 bodies. Others are buried deep in the mud.”
A healthcare worker reported that eight of the recovered bodies were from the same house, likely family members and their visitors. Five injured people have been admitted to the local health centre, but the heavy mud and rocks have made rescue operations extremely difficult.
The eastern DRC, known for its mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall, frequently experiences deadly landslides, often exacerbated in regions affected by conflict and limited state presence.
Authorities and aid workers continue to search for survivors amid challenging conditions.
