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Uganda: Landslide Death Toll Rises to 20 People


Authorities in Uganda announced on Friday that the death toll from landslides that struck several villages in the eastern part of the country has risen to 20, according to the Red Cross. Search operations continue amid significant challenges.

The Red Cross reported that the total includes 19 bodies recovered and one survivor who later died in the hospital. The exact number of missing persons remains unclear, though police stated on Thursday that at least 113 people are unaccounted for, with fears that the final toll may be higher.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Fahira Mbalanye, a local official in the Bulambuli district, said the number of missing exceeds one hundred. She noted that equipment is struggling to reach the affected areas due to the destruction of bridges.

The landslides, triggered by heavy rains that swept through five villages in the district, located 300 kilometers east of the capital Kampala, destroyed 125 homes and displaced 750 people, the Red Cross stated.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja visited the region on Friday after her office issued a warning about the disaster earlier in the week.

In a related incident, the overflow of the Tangi River in the northeast of the country severed a major road leading to South Sudan. A member of the rescue team lost their life when their boat capsized while attempting to save a bus stranded in the water.

It is worth noting that Uganda has been experiencing heavy rains since the start of the rainy season in October, causing significant damage to transportation infrastructure and residential areas.

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