Significant flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in at least 22 fatalities and severed connectivity to over half of the city as well as the nation’s primary airport, according to reports from authorities on Sunday.

According to Provincial Health Minister, Patricien Ngongo, the majority of the deaths during Friday’s flooding were due to the collapse of walls.

Flooding had damaged the primary route to the airport, but as of now, it has been reopened for light traffic, with anticipation for full traffic resumption within 72 hours, announced Kinshasa Gov. Daniel Bumba.

This thoroughfare also serves as a connection between Kinshasa and other parts of the country, which is why officials are expressing concern regarding the potential ramifications on commerce.

“We’ve been here since nighttime, but unable to make headway because we’ve been informed that the road is halved, and we have cargo to collect,” stated Blaise Ndendo, a truck driver.

In 2022, at least 100 individuals died due to similar flooding events in Kinshasa.

Following the recent flooding, various eminent figures from Kinshasa’s civil society have urged the mayor to step down, while the local government contends that the inundated and collapsed residences were “not constructed with urban planning standards in mind.”

In addition to the 22 fatalities, 46 individuals were admitted to the hospital, and another 75 families will be temporarily accommodated in a local stadium.