By Zera Nambu
Two children from the same parents have died after they were swept away by floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall at Ntarinkon, Bamenda.
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon, August 2, at Ben and Bros Street in Ntarinkon.
According to their mother, who was at the market when it happened, the tragedy started when her seven-year-old daughter’s shoe was washed away by the fast moving water. The girl reportedly tried to retrieve it but was swept away by the strong current.
Her five-year-old brother is said to have rushed in to help his sister, but he too was carried away by the floodwaters.
The Army Rescue Unit in Bamenda, led by Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul, quickly arrived at the scene and began a search operation. Rescue teams followed the flow of the water through several areas before the bodies of both children were later recovered at Mulang.
Family members, neighbours and rescue workers gathered at the scene as the children’s mother broke down in grief after the bodies were recovered.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the dangers of floodwaters in Bamenda during the rainy season. Every year, heavy rains cause flooding in several parts of the city, putting lives at risk, especially in communities with poor drainage systems.
Over the years, several children and adults have lost their lives after being swept away by floodwaters in Bamenda. Residents have continued to call for better drainage infrastructure and are urging parents to keep children away from flooded areas during heavy rains.