20100727
africanews

Floods that followed persistent rains have killed eight people in the locality of Pouss in Maga in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The floods also left several people wounded and homeless. The disaster occurred last Thursday while residents were asleep and swept away mud houses and trees.

The injured were hurried to two health centres in Pouss for emergency treatment and others taken to the Maga District Hospital while the very serious cases were evacuated to the Maroua District Hospital. Some of the victims died while in hospital.

The heaviest material damages are reported to have been recorded in Bagassaré neighbourhood where almost all the houses were swept away by the water currents. The incident occurred at a time when the locality was in darkness following the breakdown of electricity installations.

The Governor of the Far North, Joseph Beti Assomo, has ordered the immediate setting up of a commission to manage the crisis.