Landslides in northern Tanzania have killed at least 47 people and injured 85 others following landslides caused by torrential rain on Saturday, according to a local official.
Queen Sendiga, regional commissioner in the Manyara area of northern Tanzania, spoke to local media on Sunday evening and warned that the death toll could rise.
Heavy rains began on Saturday in the town of Katesh, around 300 kilometres north of the capital Dodoma. The rains caused flooding and then landslides.
Tanzania’s president Samia Suluhu Hassan offered her condolences to those affected by the landslides and said she had ordered the deployment of resources to help victims.
“I have directed all the government resources for search and rescue efforts in order to avoid more deaths,” said Hassan. “I have also directed all our defence and security agencies to the scene, and the ministry of health to attend to those injured. The mining ministry will also assess areas where mountains have shown signs of collapsing.”
