Five Killed, Two Injured in Landslide After Heavy Rains in Lushebere

Masisi March 14, 2026 - At least five people were killed and two others injured following a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Lushebere, a village located about six kilometers from Masisi town in Masisi Territory. The disaster occurred overnight between Friday and Saturday after intense rainfall weakened the soil in this mountainous area, causing a sudden collapse that swept away several homes. Two houses were completely destroyed, burying their occupants under the mud. Among the victims were twin children, while their father was seriously injured and rushed to the Masisi General Referral Hospital for treatment. In a related incident, a young man in his twenties was struck by lightning during the same storm and is also receiving medical care. Residents described scenes of panic as the land gave way. “The rain fell all night. At dawn, we heard a loud noise before it collapsed onto the houses,” one witness said, recounting attempts to rescue those trapped beneath the debris. Local inhabitants say the persistent heavy rains in recent days have destabilized the terrain, making landslides increasingly frequent in the area. “Our village is surrounded by hills. When the rains intensify, the soil becomes fragile and houses downhill are exposed,” another resident explained. This tragedy comes just days after another deadly landslide at the Rubaya mining site, also in Masisi, highlighting the growing risks linked to extreme weather conditions in the region. Faced with the recurrence of such disasters, residents are urging authorities to strengthen prevention measures and raise awareness among communities living in high-risk zones to prevent further loss of life.