A landslide in eastern Uganda after heavy rains has killed at least 45 people and left hundreds missing, the central Africa country’s disaster minister said today.
Ugandan media said the landslide engulfed an entire village in the eastern Bududa district near Mount Elgon last night after a seven-hour deluge.
"Forty-five bodies have already been recovered," Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Tarsis Kabwegyere said.
"About 300 people are feared buried by the landslide and the landslides are expected to continue as the rains intensify in the region."
Mr Kabwegyere said a government response team was on the ground with food and the Red Cross had sent doctors. Police and volunteers were also helping in the rescue.
Parts of Uganda and neighbouring Kenya have had sustained rainfall over much of the past two months, which is usually a dry period between rainy seasons.
Reuters