Dozens killed in Uganda after landslides destroyed homes and buried animals
The government said the residents had been warned about the danger of landslides and even moved some people away, but they went back
Landslides have left at least 36 people dead in Uganda with rescuers warning the death toll may rise.
Hundreds have lost homes and livestock after torrential rains caused the River Suume to burst its banks, triggering landslides that devastated two villages in the mountainous eastern district of Bududa on Thursday afternoon.
Sowed Mansur, the regional police spokesman, said 36 bodies had been retrieved by Friday morning. In Maludu, part of a primary school disappeared under the mud, leaving more than 200 pupils missing.
The local media put the death toll at 40, with an estimated 400 people still missing, and dozens of injured survivors have been admitted to hospital.
“The heavy downpour and muddy ground is making our rescue efforts for the missing people and recoveries of bodies difficult. The teams carrying relief and necessary assistance can’t access the scene, since a connecting bridge was washed away,” said Mansur.
