Tragedy Strikes as Dam Collapse in Zimbabwe Claims Five Young Lives
Five children have tragically died and two remain missing following a dam collapse in eastern Zimbabwe due to recent heavy rains. The incident occurred in Chipinge, leading to severe flooding that caught children off guard. Search efforts continue for the missing individuals, highlighting the broader issues faced by communities experiencing extreme weather changes.
In eastern Zimbabwe, a tragic incident occurred when a dam collapsed, resulting in the deaths of five children and leaving two others missing. According to the country’s disaster management agency, the event took place on Sunday after heavy rains caused the dam’s walls to breach at a farm in Chipinge, a remote district known for its agricultural activities.
Initially, authorities reported that a four-year-old girl and a 30-year-old man perished in the disaster, while the girl’s mother survived. However, as the search for missing individuals intensified, four additional children were found deceased this week. Rescuers are presently focusing on locating two remaining children, aged eight and four.
The Civil Protection Unit shared that the dam’s rupture led to severe flooding downstream, impacting nearby villages and unexpectedly sweeping away children who were fishing or washing clothes by the river. The floodwaters also caused destruction to agricultural machinery and resulted in livestock fatalities.
Search efforts are ongoing, involving teams from the Civil Protection Unit, police, and local community members, determined to find the missing children. Zimbabwe has been grappling with the effects of the most severe drought in four decades, followed by an unusual influx of rain across numerous regions in recent weeks.
The dam collapse in eastern Zimbabwe has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with five children confirmed dead and two missing. Ongoing rescue efforts are essential as communities deal with the ramifications of flooding and loss of agricultural resources. This incident underscores the challenges posed by extreme weather fluctuations in the region.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
