77 bodies found, over 250 still missing in landslide in Uganda
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The Ugandan police on Wednesday said 77 bodies of victims of Monday night landslide in a hilly area in eastern part of the country have been recovered as rescue operation enters the second day.
Idi Ssenkumbi, eastern Uganda police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that over 250 people are still missing and feared dead in Bududa district after landslide swept away three villages.
"We resumed the search operations this morning (Wednesday). So far, a total of 77 bodies have been recovered," said Ssenkumbi, adding that the excavation was going on.
"There are more bodies still stuck on the ground," he said.
The landslide following torrential rains destroyed 85 homesteads in Nametsi, Kubehwo and Namangasa villages, Bukalasi sub-county, Bududa district.
Uganda Red Cross (URC) as part of the rescue team, however, put the number of bodies recovered at 81.
"We are searching for more bodies. We have so far recovered 81 dead bodies and 40 survivors," said Catherine Ntabadde, the spokesperson for the URC.
"The search for 269 people still missing is on. However, Basing on the eye witness on the ground, the number of missing persons can go over 400," she said.
Ntabadde told Xinhua by telephone that over 100 students who had taken refuge during the downpour at Nametsi trading center have not been accounted for.
"We are still searching. We believe they were buried," she said
Edith Peke, a mobilizer at Bududa resident district commissioner's office said the bodies of five pupils had been recovered.
Meanwhile, three relocation centers were opened on Wednesday at Bukalasi secondary school, Bududa district administration headquarters and Bulucheke sub-county headquarters.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday visited the landslide sites and ordered for the relocation of the residents still endangered by possible following disasters.
Tarsis Kabwegyere, minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees on Tuesday told Ugandan legislators that landslides have also affected the neighboring districts of Bukwo, Sironko, Mbale, Manafa and Kapchorwa.
He said the districts of Butaleja, Amuria, Mbale in eastern Uganda and Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Kasese in western Uganda are currently affected by floods.
Experts have warned that global climate change has been changing the rainfall pattern in the East African country from regular and moderate to more unexpected and extreme, raising risks of natural disasters like floods, landslides and prolonged draught.
