Landslide in Cameroon’s Dschang cliff claims 12 lives

The death toll from the double landslide that struck the Dschang cliff in Cameroon’s Menoua Division, Western Region, has risen to 12, regional governor Augustine Awa Fonka confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking to the state broadcaster CRTV, the governor announced the conclusion of rescue operations, two weeks after the disaster.

The tragedy occurred on November 5, when two successive landslides swept through the area, disrupting traffic along the critical Douala-Santchou highway.

Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover victims from the debris, ultimately retrieving 12 bodies.

“The search and rescue operations have now been officially concluded,” Governor Fonka stated, underscoring the challenges faced by emergency teams during the efforts.

The Dschang cliff, a key landmark in the region, is known for its steep and precarious terrain, making it particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters, especially during the rainy season.

The landslides caused significant disruptions to transportation and highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure along the vital route connecting Douala to Santchou.

Authorities have yet to release detailed reports on the victims or the exact causes of the landslides, though local officials suspect that heavy rainfall contributed to the unstable conditions.

As the region mourns the loss of lives, the disaster has reignited discussions on preventive measures to mitigate the impact of such events in the future.

It also underscores the vulnerability of communities living near geologically unstable zones.

The Dschang landslide serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for disaster preparedness in regions prone to natural calamities.