Cameroon: Authorities demolish homes after fatal landslide

Authorities in Cameroon have begun demolishing houses in the capital city’s Mbankolo neighbourhood, which was devastated by a landslide on Sunday.

At least 30 people were killed and over 20 others sustained injuries after heavy rains caused a dam to burst in Yaoundé.

The area is still considered a “risk zone” by authorities, who are pulling down affected houses in case of another landslide.

Residents who live in these homes were given a 24-hour deadline to leave.

But local people, most of whom have lived in the impoverished neighbourhood for years, say they have nowhere else to go.

The government has provided temporary accommodation for victims of the disaster, while in a show of solidarity, other residents have opened their homes to those in need.

Some victims have received material assistance from the authorities, but others have told the BBC they have not been given any aid so far.

“They have not given my own mattress, but my name was there [on the list of victims]. My phone number is there but they have not called,” Ernest Bame said.