A landslide in Tanzania claims the lives of over 21 miners.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on Sunday that more than 21 individuals have tragically lost their lives in a landslide at a mine in northern Tanzania. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, President Hassan expressed her deep sorrow over the incident at the Ng’alita mine in the Bariadi district, Simiyu region.

The President stated, “It is with great sadness I received the reports of the deaths of more than 21 people following a landslide at Ng’alita mine in Bariadi district, Simiyu region.”

She further explained that the defense and security agencies, in collaboration with regional leaders, are actively engaged in ongoing efforts to recover additional bodies trapped in the debris.

Details about the timing of the accident and the exact number of miners potentially buried under the debris remain unclear.

Tanzania and its East African neighbors, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, have been grappling with flash floods caused by heavy rains associated with the El Nino weather pattern. Last month, landslides in the hillside town of Katesh in northern Tanzania claimed the lives of 76 people.

The same downpours displaced 5,600 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, prompting President Hassan to curtail her participation in the COP28 climate talks in Dubai to address the crisis.

During her visit to Katesh last month, President Hassan emphasized the need for the government to enhance preparedness measures, detect early signs, and alert people to prevent such devastating consequences.

The floods have compounded the humanitarian crisis in East Africa, emerging from its worst drought in four decades, leaving millions in a state of hunger.

Scientists attribute these extreme weather events, including floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, to human-induced climate change. In late 2019, relentless rainfall over two months caused at least 265 deaths and displacement of tens of thousands of people across several East African countries.

Widespread flooding between October 1997 and January 1998 resulted in more than 6,000 deaths across five countries in the region.

Source: citizen.digital