Death Toll From Côte d’Ivoire Flood Climbs To 59
By Sabiu Abdullahi
Authorities in Côte d’Ivoire have confirmed that the number of people killed by recent flooding has risen to 59 after days of heavy rainfall in the country.
Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated figure after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. He described the casualty figure as “particularly high” compared to previous years.
Coulibaly said rescue teams were still searching affected areas and warned that the number of victims could increase.
He also appealed to residents to obey safety directives and move away from locations identified by the government as high-risk zones.
Earlier on Wednesday, officials had reported that 12 people died in the disaster.
The Minister of Social Cohesion, Belmonde Dogo, said the flooding and landslides began after persistent rainfall started on the night of June 27 in the commercial capital, Abidjan.
According to Dogo, the floods caused severe damage in several parts of Abidjan and nearby communities.
Images and videos shared online showed roads covered by floodwater, vehicles trapped in submerged streets and homes surrounded by rising water levels.
Several countries in coastal West Africa, including Nigeria and Ghana, have also experienced flooding in recent weeks due to heavy rainfall.
The World Meteorological Organisation has repeatedly warned that African countries remain among the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The organisation noted that flooding disasters continue to claim lives across many parts of the continent each year.