Six lives were tragically lost overnight in a landslide caused by relentless rainfall in Abidjan, the economic heart of Ivory Coast.
The disaster hit the Mossikro neighborhood in the Attecoube district, an area where fragile homes are built on unstable, waterlogged ground.
National Cohesion Minister Myss Belmonde Dogo confirmed the loss of life early Wednesday, with six confirmed dead and seven others hospitalized at Yopougon University Hospital.
Survivor Audrey Toh Lou vividly recalled the harrowing moment when the earth gave way beneath her home as she rested during the downpour.
Heavy rains between May and July are notorious for causing catastrophic floods and landslides across Ivory Coast, leading to dozens of deaths annually. In June 2023, a similar landslide in Mossikro claimed five lives, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by residents in flood-prone areas.
The government’s attempts to clear informal settlements, in an effort to reduce risks, have sparked controversy and criticism, particularly from groups like Amnesty International, which argue that the displaced residents are left without sufficient support.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved housing and urban planning in Abidjan to protect vulnerable communities from future disasters.
