A devastating landslide triggered by torrential overnight rain in Ivory Coast’s largest city, Abidjan, has claimed the lives of six people, with seven others injured and taken to Yopougon University Hospital for treatment.
The disaster occurred in the Mossikro neighborhood within the Attecoube district, where the landslide destroyed three homes.
National Cohesion Minister Myss Belmonde Dogo confirmed the tragic event on social media, attributing it to seasonal weather patterns that often bring destruction to vulnerable urban communities.
One survivor, Audrey Toh Lou, recounted the moment the disaster struck, saying, “We were lying down when the rain started to come.
The earth above fell on the house.” Landslides and flooding are unfortunately frequent during Ivory Coast’s rainy season, which spans from May to late July.
This incident is a grim reminder of the persistent dangers posed by unregulated development and extreme weather in Ivory Coast’s urban centers.
Abidjan, home to over six million people, has long grappled with poor infrastructure, unregulated construction, and overcrowded informal settlements, particularly in flood-prone zones.
Despite government initiatives to address these issues, tragedies like this week’s landslide underscore the need for more effective measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable communities.
