The death toll from floods following a dam burst in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde, has hit 28 and may rise even higher as search operations continue, authorities said.
The dam burst happened Sunday following heavy rains in the region, according to Reuters. It unleashed water from a small lake down the steep hillside of the Mbankolo neighbourhood.
More than 20 people were injured, with at least 30 houses destroyed in the floods and roads also rendered impassable.
The country’s military, emergency personnel and local residents joined hands to sift through the debris and fallen trees.
Reuters noted citing a local resident that some of the dead were children attending a birthday party.
Authorities visiting the site said that buildings in the area had been constructed in a high-risk zone.
