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Algeria
Protests as flood toll rises to 31
Article published on the 2008-10-03 Latest update 2008-10-03 16:57 TU
A car buried after floods in Ghardaia
(Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of protestors demanded food aid and euquipment to search for survivors in the southern Algerian town of Ghardaia as the death toll from floods rose to thirty one. Around a thousand people have been left homeless by the floods and aid workers were struggling to help survivors. The army was deployed to prevent looting.
Fifty people were injured as floods hit the historic town, a UN World Heritage site, some
Hundreds of volunteers, Red Crescent workers and Muslim scouts were helping the homeless.
Local radio estimated that the water level was eight metres high in some parts of the town. Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said the floods are the worst for a century. The flooding began when torrential rains hit on Monday, worsening over teh floowing days. Rivers filled and spilled into a larger river, which then flooded. It was the first rainfall in the region for four years. Gas and electricity supplies were cut off, but have now been partially re-established, but because of flood damage, locals are short of basic supplies and medication.
