Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo - April 07, 2025 [Note: no sound] At least 30 people have died after heavy rains triggered devastating floods in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The torrential downpour caused the Ndjili River, which runs through the densely populated city of nearly 17 million people, to overflow on Friday night, submerging roads, destroying homes, and crippling infrastructure. Provincial Health Minister Patricien Gongo confirmed the provisional death toll on Sunday, adding that most of the victims died as a result of collapsing walls. The true extent of the damage is still being assessed, with emergency teams continuing rescue and recovery efforts across the city. The main national road was completely submerged, leaving motorists stranded for hours—some of them forced to sleep in their vehicles. As floodwaters rose, neighborhoods were inundated, and homes were swept away, exposing the vulnerability of Kinshasa’s infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to remain cautious, as further rainfall could worsen the already dire conditions. The government is coordinating emergency responses and assessing the need for humanitarian assistance as the situation develops.