Ethiopia Extends Condolences to South Africa after Deadly Floods

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has extended condolences to South Africa after a deadly flood hit the country’s east coast, killing more than 300 people.

“My thoughts with Cyril Ramaphosa and fellow South Africans who have been affected by heavy rains and flooding over the past few days,” tweeted the Prime Minister Thursday.

“Ethiopia stands in solidarity in these trying times,” he added.

The flooding started early in the week, sparking landslides that buried or swept away homes, collapsed bridges and blocked key roadways.

More than 300 people have died and caused well over $100 million worth of damage to property and infrastructure.

A state of emergency has been called in the region, where some parts experienced months worth of rainfell in just a day.

President Ramaphosa visited the province, where search teams continued to find more victims’ bodies amid the wreckage.

One of the residents, Nonkululeko Mdlalose, told the president that her family home was destroyed by the floods, resulting in the loss of 10 members of their family.

The President assured the families affected by the flood that help is on the way.

On Wednesday, African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, tweeted his “sincere condolences” to families who have “lost loved ones” on Tuesday evening.

“Our full solidarity with the Government and people of South Africa,” he added.

Reports say more heavy rainfall was forecast over Easter weekend, and with the ground already saturated, rescue workers and residents feared they could see more flooding and landslides in the coming days.

 

[Featured Image: Twitter/@GovernmentZA]