Fatshimetrie: Hope meets tragedy in La Falaise landslide disaster
In a heartbreaking tale of survival and loss, the story unfolds in the rubble of La Falaise, near Dschang Town. Seven bodies were recovered last Friday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 11.
Western Region Governor Augustine Fonka Awa told Xinhua: “We have also removed debris from heavy road equipment. Excavation operations are ongoing.” He also mentioned that the recovered bodies were in an “advanced state of decomposition.”
The drama began on Tuesday when four bodies were pulled out of the rubble. Three passenger buses, road equipment and many workers were swallowed up by the landslide on a steep hillside in La Falaise.
More than fifty people are still feared trapped under the rubble. Emmeline Wakam, in an unbearable wait, told Xinhua reporters: “They found my mother’s body. We are still waiting for my grandmother and brother’s, still trapped under the debris.”
The region has been hit by torrential rains recently, causing deadly floods and landslides across Central Africa.
In the shadow of this tragedy, stories of unity and compassion emerge. Rescue efforts continue unabated to save lives still buried under the rubble. As hope collides with heartbreaking reality, La Falaise becomes a poignant symbol of human resilience in the face of adversity.
In this dark time, the community comes together to support survivors and commemorate the lives lost. The lessons learned from this disaster written in mud and rocks must guide our future action to avoid such a tragedy.
It is our duty to remain vigilant, implement effective preventive measures and support those affected by this disaster. Together, as survivors rise and lost souls are mourned, let us weave the threads of hope and reconstruction for a safer and more united future for all.