Floods Claim 22 Lives, Injure 72 In Egypt

John-Onivehu AndahOctober 30, 2016

No fewer than 22 people have died, while 72 are injured. An health official says the death toll could increase as some families may not have reported the loss of relatives who have already been buried since the flooding began on Thursday.

No fewer than 22 people have died, while 72 are injured in flooding caused by torrential rains in parts of Egypt.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said the death toll could rise as some families may not have reported the loss of relatives who have already been buried since the flooding began on Thursday.

The government on Saturday announced the provision of 50 million pounds ($5.6 million/five million euros) for flood-hit areas. The areas include Sohag, South Sinai and along the Red Sea coast.

Angry residents block Prime Minister’s convoy

According to Al-Masry Al-Youm and Al-Watan newspapers, residents in Ras Gharib, furious over the government response to the floods on Saturday, blocked a convoy transporting Prime Minister Sharif Ismail.

Ras Gharib, near the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, was the worst hit area with nine people killed in the flooding.

Also among those lost in the disaster were six people killed when a bus overturned on a flooded road in Sohag province.

Rains in the autumn and winter cause flooding in parts of Egypt, especially those with poor infrastructure, almost every year.

John-Onivehu AndahOctober 30, 2016