At least 59 people have died in Ivory Coast after days of severe heavy rains and flash floods. Rescue operations are ongoing in areas hit by floods and landslides, which began on Saturday, June 27.
Officials warn the death toll is expected to rise. Ivory Coast government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly confirmed the fatalities, adding that landslides completely destroyed several homes in the Yopougon and Attécoubé municipalities of Abidjan, the country's economic capital. Minister of National Cohesion, Myss Belmonde Dogo, stated that rescue workers are actively searching for missing residents. Neighboring Ghana has also suffered extensive damage from the extreme weather. Flash floods began sweeping into homes across large parts of the country, including the capital, Accra, on Monday morning.
Alex King Narte, a spokesman for the Ghana National Fire Service, reported that many roads and multi-story buildings in Accra and the nearby city of Tema are submerged, cutting off transport and communication. The fire service requested military assistance to evacuate stranded residents and conduct emergency rescues. At least 12 people have died in Ghana due to the flooding. Among the victims were a mother and her child, who were swept away by flash floods in the Achimota-Agbogbloshie area.
Videos on social media show abandoned vehicles on flooded roads in Accra and residents swimming through chest-deep water to help their neighbors. Ghana's Meteorological Department has warned residents to prepare for more heavy rainfall throughout the rest of the week.
