At least 71 dead due to floods as heavy rains lash Kenya | Video

ATTENTION EDITORS: CONTAINS EXPLICIT FOOTAGE THAT MAY HURT THE SENSIBILITY DUE TO THEIR HARSHNESS.

Mai Mahiui (Kenya), Apr 30 (EFE/EPA) - The death toll after a river burst its banks in southern Kenya on Monday and swept away hundreds of homes and vehicles rose from 45 to at least 71, Kenyan Vice President Rigathi Gachagua confirmed on Tuesday, as the country has been facing heavy rains and devastating floods for weeks.

"We have 46 people in the morgue, but more bodies are being taken there, so it will be about 71. There are many others (people) who are still missing and the search continues," Gachagua told a local radio station, and the death toll was also confirmed by the governor of Nakuru County, Susan Kihika, where the tragedy occurred.

Authorities had initially reported that the disaster occurred because the walls of the Dark Tunnel Valley Dam in the Kijabe Hills burst, but the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Sanitation denied that late on Monday, blaming a blocked tunnel for the disaster.

CAMERA: DANIEL IRUNGU

FOOTAGE OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS AND RED CROSS MEMBERS IN A FLOOD RESCUE OPERATION IN THE VILLAGE OF KAMUCHIRA IN MAI MAHIU, KENYA.

FOOTAGE OF KENYAN PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO AT THE SCENE OF THE DISASTER.

Metadata

Date: 30/04/2024 17:02 (UTC)
Credit: EFE
Source: EPA
Topic: Disaster and accident » Flood
Disaster and accident
Type: Ready-to-use
Duration: 36 seconds
Reference: 7001359526
Relevance: Normal