Flooding Kills Over 60, Leaves 50 Missing Eastern Congo Lake Tanganyika

Heavy flooding caused by torrential rains in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has devastated several villages along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, particularly the village of Kasaba, resulting in at least 62 confirmed deaths and dozens missing. The floodwaters surged early Friday, washing away homes and hampering rescue operations due to disrupted communication networks and limited access, as Kasaba is reachable only by Lake Tanganyika. Local officials report that over 100 deaths may have occurred, though the exact toll is still being determined with ongoing body searches. The disaster struck amid a backdrop of intensified conflict in the region, with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels escalating fighting since early 2025, contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The flood's impact is compounded by difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid, with only the Red Cross currently on site assisting survivors. This tragedy follows recent deadly floods in Kinshasa, which claimed 33 lives last month, underscoring the vulnerability of the DRC to climate and conflict-related disasters.