NYABIHU- The mood was sombre, yesterday, as the 14 victims of the mudslide tragedy in Gakoro cell, Rugera Sector, Nyabihu District were laid to rest.

Bereaved relatives joined thousands to pay tribute to the victims who perished when a collapsing hillside engulfed the homes of one family who were asleep in the wee hours of Friday morning.

The emotional funeral service was attended by top government officials including Senators, Members of parliament and Ministers James Kabarebe (Defence) and Gen Marcel Gatsinzi (disaster preparedness).

Shortly after laying wreaths at the mass grave in which the victims were laid to rest, Gatsinzi thanked the residents for their quick response and extended the government’s sympathy to the bereaved family.

"We greatly regret the death of these people and extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Nyabihu,” Gatsinzi said.

He noted that local residents should ensure they find safer places to settle in order to avoid such accidents in future. The landslide was triggered by a heavy downpour.

Those who died included 39 year-old Jean Damascene Nzamuhabwanimana, his 11 children and three wives identified as Alphonsine Ntibarikure, Gorette Nyirahabyarimana and Esperance Akingeneye. One of the wives was said to have been pregnant.

During the funeral service, mourners were shocked with the extent of damage .

"The last time we experienced such a tragedy was in 1998 when one person was killed during a similar mudslide,” Alphonse Munyentwari, a resident in Nyabihu revealed.

The district’s Mayor, Emmanuel Nsengiyumva, said that environmental hazards were a major problem in the district.

"Given the topography of this region, more measures should be taken in order to avoid the risk of further landslides,” Nsengiyumva said.

The family is survived by a daughter who had spent the night at her grandmother’s home when the accident occurred

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