At least 17 killed by landslides in eastern Uganda

Photo: Supplied

Photo: Supplied

Published Oct 11, 2018

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Kampala - At least 17 people were killed when torrential rains

caused a landslide in Uganda, police and rescue officials said on

Thursday.

Heavy downpours caused massive boulders and mud to slide down the

slopes of the Elgon mountain range in eastern Uganda, burying

numerous homes in the parish of Bukalasi in Bududa district.

"We confirm that 17 people have so far died, but the number could

rise," police spokesman Patrick Onyango told dpa by telephone.

"The situation is tense as community members are scared and fleeing

their homes for safety," said Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene

Nakasiita.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the ongoing rain, which was blocking

roads and making the area inaccessible, Nakasiita said.

Landslides are a common occurrence in the mountainous district, where

torrential rains killed more than 100 people in 2010.

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dpa dpa 

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