Bududa landslide death toll soars

Jun 26, 2012

The death toll in Bududa landslide has reached 20 from the 18 earlier reported, minister Steven Mallinga had said.

By Vision Reporter

The death toll in Bududa land slide has reached 20 from the 18 earlier reported, relief and disaster preparedness minister Steven Mallinga had said.

“We are about to get the exact number of the dead but reports indicate that over 20 people were killed by the landslide,” Mallinga told a news a conference in Kamapla.

He said that his deputy Musa Ecweru and a team from the ministry are in Bududa to boost the rescue opetaions.

The minister said Government has aided the victims with tents, jerrycans and food  among other items adding that personnel at the Bududa health centre which which currently acts as a relocation centre has been doubled.

Mallinga however appealed to the locals to vacate the risk prone areas for safe places.

The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) joined a team of Uganda Red Cross Society in the excavation of the soil.

According to Uganda Red Cross Secretary Michael Nataka, 9 people were criticially injured, 72 still missing and 448 people are at a risk as a result of torrential rains that pounded the area.

“UPDF has sent  a team to work with us in the excavation of the land,” Uganda Red Cross Sopkesperson Catherine Ntabadde said .

By Monday afternoon dozens were feared dead by landslides that swept through four villages in Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa district.   

The Bunamulembwa LC1 chairman Stephen Kibalati said it rained heavily in the area for two days.

 

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