Dozens of people have been confirmed dead after intense flooding swept through parts of Angola, with the capital, Luanda, and the central city of Benguela among the hardest hit areas.
Emergency authorities say at least 39 lives have been lost so far, while more than 51,000 people have been affected by the disaster. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue across impacted regions.
According to the country’s civil protection agency, Benguela recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 26 people dead and several others missing. In Luanda, 13 people have been confirmed dead, with additional reports of missing persons. Local media also indicate further casualties in Cuanza-Sul and Malanje provinces.
The floods have caused widespread destruction, leaving thousands of homes damaged or destroyed and crippling key infrastructure. Roads and bridges have been washed away, trees and electricity poles uprooted, and essential services disrupted. A major bridge pillar collapse on the Hâlo River has cut off traffic between Benguela and Huambo, worsening the situation.
President João Lourenço expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the situation as a race against time to rescue survivors and provide urgent medical assistance to those affected. He assured citizens that government agencies have been mobilised to deliver relief and support to victims.
Authorities say many families have been forced to flee their homes as floodwaters continue to rise in several communities.
Seasonal heavy rains are common across southern Africa, but recent years have seen increasingly severe flooding across the region. Angola itself experienced similar devastation in 2023, when floods killed 30 people and affected more than 116,000 residents across most parts of the country.