Torrential rains in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, have left at least 22 people dead and dozens more injured, following widespread flooding that paralyzed much of the city and temporarily severed access to the nation’s primary international airport.
Authorities confirmed that most of the fatalities occurred due to collapsing structures, with vulnerable housing areas bearing the brunt of the disaster. Provincial Health Minister Patricien Ngongo said that crumbling walls accounted for the majority of deaths during Friday’s downpour.
The flooding severely damaged key infrastructure, including the main road connecting Kinshasa to the airport—an essential artery not only for air travel but also for trade and supply routes across the country. While light vehicles have now been permitted to use the partially restored road, Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba announced that full access for all vehicles is expected to resume within 72 hours.
“This road is vital not just for passenger movement, but for the transportation of goods across the country,” said Governor Bumba. Concerns remain high among transport operators and traders. “We’ve been here since nightfall, but we’re not making any progress because the road is cut in two,” said Blaise Ndendo, a local truck driver waiting to collect cargo.
The devastation has reignited anger over the city’s poor urban planning and inadequate drainage systems. Civil society leaders have publicly called for the resignation of Kinshasa’s mayor, blaming city authorities for failing to implement flood mitigation measures. In response, local government officials claimed that many of the homes destroyed were not built according to official planning and construction standards.
In addition to the 22 confirmed fatalities, at least 46 people have been hospitalized, and 75 families rendered homeless by the flooding are now being temporarily housed in a nearby stadium. Emergency responders and humanitarian agencies continue to assess damage and deliver relief.
This disaster echoes a similar tragedy in 2022, when flooding in Kinshasa killed more than 100 people, raising long-standing concerns about the capital’s preparedness for extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.
