According to authorities, at least 47 people have died and 85 others have been injured after severe floods and landslides in northern Tanzania
From
EMMANUEL IGUNZA Associated Press
December 4, 2023, 7:30 a.m. ET
• 1 minute reading
NAIROBI, Kenya – At least 47 people died and 85 others were injured after severe flooding and landslides in northern Tanzania on Monday, authorities said.
The government has deployed the military to help rescue hundreds of people affected by floods described as the worst in years in the East African country.
The flooding occurred near Mount Hanang in the north. Homes, roads and bridges have been destroyed, complicating ongoing rescue efforts.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is attending the UN climate summit in Dubai, said she would cut short her trip because of the tragedy and return to Tanzania.
“I express my sincere condolences to the affected families and have directed all our security forces to deploy to the area and assist those affected,” she said in a video message.
Other East African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, were hit by severe flooding, made worse by the El Niño phenomenon.
Hundreds have died across the region and millions have been displaced since heavy rains began in late October.