Angola – 24 Dead, 30 Missing After Floods in Lubango, Huíla

At least 24 people have been killed and many more are missing after floods struck in city of Lubango, Huíla, in southern Angola.

Angola news agency ANGOP reports that heavy rain fell for around 9 hours on Monday 29 February 2016. Local media report that two rivers – the Capitao and the Caculuvar – overflowed.

The worst affected areas were the Tchioco and Canguinda districts of the city. It is thought that the flood water may have swept through a local market in Tchioco, where many young people work washing cars. Many of the victims are aged between 12 and 30, ANGOP report. Local emergency services said bodies were found up to 500 metres downstream.

The funerals of the victims took place yesterday. During the ceremony, retired archbishop of Lubango, Dom Zacarias Kamwenho, called for an end to building houses in risk areas. Lubango has been the site of several forced mass evictions to make way for public infrastructure projects. Families were left with no alternative housing, according to Human Rights Watch.

Further heavy rain fell on Tuesday, 01 March. The search continues for the 30 missing people.