At Least 23 People Tragically Perish in Devastating Mbankolo Landslides in Cameroon's Capital, Yaoundé

Heavy rains in Cameroon's capital, Yaoundé, have caused landslides that have claimed the lives of at least 23 people, according to emergency services. However, a local radio station reported that the death toll could be as high as 40, with many people still missing. The floods have made rescue operations difficult, with locals resorting to using their bare hands to retrieve bodies from the debris. The Mefou River overflowed due to the heavy rainfall, leading to the submersion of several neighborhoods. This tragedy occurred almost a year after another landslide in the city claimed 14 lives. Mbankolo, a poor neighborhood built on slopes, was hit particularly hard in the recent disaster, with houses collapsing and banana trees uprooted. Witnesses described seeing the bodies of children scattered on the wet ground. So far, 12 bodies have been identified and taken to the morgue. Around 25 houses were washed away, and there is a concern that many families remain trapped under the debris. Meanwhile, neighboring Nigeria has warned residents in nine states to prepare for floods, as Cameroon has started releasing water from its Lagdo Dam. This release is expected to continue until the end of October, resulting from heavy rains in northern Cameroon. Authorities have assured that the release will be minimal to avoid a repeat of last year's flooding and fatalities in Nigeria's Benue state, which borders Cameroon.