At least seven people died on the island of São Vicente due to heavy rains, with reports of missing persons, damage to public roads, homes, and vehicles. Cape Verde has declared two days of national mourning starting this Tuesday following a storm that caused seven deaths and material damage on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão.
The two islands were “severely affected” in the early hours of Monday by heavy rains, strong winds, and sudden floods, resulting in “significant material losses” and seven deaths on São Vicente, according to the government of Ulisses Correia e Silva in a statement.
“The Government expresses its deepest sorrow and solidarity with the grieving families and all the Cape Verdean people, both in the country and abroad, who share this moment of pain,” it added.
During the official mourning period, which began at midnight on August 12, all public buildings and Cape Verdean diplomatic and consular representations will fly the flag at half-mast. All public shows and events will also be canceled.
At least seven people died on São Vicente island due to intense rainfall, with missing persons reported and damage to roads, homes, and vehicles.
In an earlier statement, the Praia government declared a state of calamity on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão to activate the national emergency fund and respond to the damage caused to roads, streets, and other infrastructure and assist “people in difficult situations caused by the bad weather.”
The Government stated that the company Infraestruturas de Cabo Verde will mobilize intervention means in partnership with local construction companies for emergency actions. Both islands experienced damage to roads, streets, other infrastructure, and private property such as vehicles.
“This is a moment that requires national unity, solidarity, and concerted action from everyone so that, together, we can overcome this tragedy,” it added.
Cape Verde’s Minister of Internal Administration, Paulo Rocha, warned that the death toll could rise as people are still missing.
“In just over two and a half hours of intense rain, accompanied by much thunder, we currently have seven confirmed deaths,” Rocha said, quoted by Rádio de Cabo Verde (RCV). The Portuguese Government has already expressed “deep sorrow for the victims of the storm,” offering “condolences to the families, the brotherly Cape Verdean people, and the authorities, expressing all forms of solidarity.”
Source: Lusa
