Heavy rainfall in Kenya triggered a landslide, resulting in 21 deaths

Kenyan officials said that a severe landslide occurred in El Gayo-Maraquat County in the west of the country on Saturday (November 1st), which has so far caused at least 21 deaths and more than 30 people missing.

Xinhua News Agency reported that Kenya's Interior Minister Kipchunba Murkomen told the media at the rescue site on Saturday evening, "21 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 30 others have been reported missing by their families." 25 seriously injured people were rescued and sent to nearby hospitals for treatment.

He pointed out that the search and rescue operation would continue during the day on Sunday (the 2nd), and the military and police would carry out a joint search and rescue operation together with other agencies and the local community.

Due to multiple landslides caused by heavy rainfall, roads were blocked, and the rescue workers' operation to enter the disaster area was once affected. Murkomen said that the government is preparing to distribute more relief supplies to the disaster victims and is stepping up efforts to repair the damaged roads to ensure the smooth delivery of rescue and relief materials.

He also said that the government has moved residents in areas at risk of secondary landslides to safe zones and set up missing persons registration points to coordinate emergency response efforts.

This landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall that lasted for several days, causing extensive damage. The local government has called on residents in areas prone to landslides to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions.