The death toll from devastating floods in Côte d’Ivoire has risen sharply to 59, following days of heavy rainfall and landslides that battered parts of the country.
According to TheCable, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated figure after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, describing the casualty rate as unusually high this year.
Authorities said search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with fears that the death toll could increase further as emergency teams continue to assess affected communities.
Belmonde Dogo, Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of social cohesion, said the flooding was triggered by continuous rainfall that began on the night of June 27, causing widespread destruction in the commercial capital, Abidjan, and surrounding areas.
Videos and photos shared online showed submerged vehicles, flooded roads and residential neighbourhoods overwhelmed by rising waters.
Officials have urged residents living in high-risk areas to follow safety instructions and evacuate where necessary to reduce further casualties.
The disaster adds to growing concerns over severe flooding across West Africa, with countries including Nigeria and Ghana also experiencing heavy rainfall and flood-related disruptions.
Flooding remains a recurring challenge in many African countries, worsened by increasingly extreme weather patterns. The World Meteorological Organization has repeatedly warned that Africa remains among the regions most vulnerable to climate-related disasters despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
