Heavy rains kill six in south Rwanda

KIGALI, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains in southern Rwanda Thursday killed six people, a local leader said.

The early morning heavy downpour in Kamonyi district destroyed houses, which collapsed on the six victims, the district mayor Alice Kayitesi told local media.

Three victims were from one family in Runda sector, among them a child, said Kayitesi. Flooding waters washed bodies of two victims from the family into Cyogo water stream where they were recovered. The child's body was recovered from the wrecked house, she added, adding that one other person from the same family is still missing.

Three people were injured and were taken to health facilities for treatment, said the mayor.

She appealed to residents in high risk areas and those residing in weak dilapidated houses to relocate to safe places.

Thursday's tragedy happened days after 19 people were killed by disasters triggered by rains of Monday night across the country.

More than 40 people had been killed while more than 160 others were injured across Rwanda by disasters triggered by heavy rains since March, according to the ministry of disaster. Enditem