NYAMAGABE - Seven people from Nkomane Sector, Nyamagabe district have been confirmed dead after their houses were washed away by heavy rains that hit the district on Friday night.

The dead, six of them from the same family were identified as; Odette Nyirambananunshaka, 60, Jacqueline Mukandekezi, 16, Munyemana Habimana, 12 and Ephrasie Mukandayisenga,6.

Others are; Mukamana Nzakundumwe, 10, Emmanuel Mushimyimana, 4, and 19 months old Isingizimana. Two bodies had not yet been retrieved from the debris by press time.

According to the Nkomane Sector Executive Secretary, Anastase Ziherembera, 50 other houses were destroyed by the rains. Many domestic animals were also washed away.

"The heavy rains softened the ground leading to the collapse of the houses,” said Ziherebera.

The official blamed the incident on poor settlements as the affected families were not living in communal villages locally known as Imidugugudu.

"This incident could have been avoided if people had settled in these planned villages; we are going to encourage them to move now that they have experienced the dangers of living in isolated areas,” Ziherebara said.

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