At least nine people have been killed and six others injured after a deadly landslide struck western Burundi, according to confirmed reports from national authorities and international humanitarian agencies.
The landslide occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, February 5, in Rutunda village, located in the Kirama area of Bujumbura province, following intense torrential rains accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms. Local officials said seven victims died instantly when large volumes of mud and debris swept through the area. One additional victim later died after being transferred to a hospital in Muramvya, while search and rescue teams recovered a ninth body from the mud on Friday morning.
Six injured survivors are currently receiving medical treatment, authorities said.
Homes Destroyed, Residents Ordered to Relocate
The disaster caused significant damage to local infrastructure. Fulgence Nzosaba, Chief of the Kirama Zone, told Burundi National Radio and Television that at least four houses were completely destroyed by the landslide. Several neighboring homes remain at serious risk, with visible cracks reported in walls and foundations.
Local authorities issued urgent warnings to residents living in high-risk zones, calling for immediate relocation to safer areas to prevent further loss of life. Officials also appealed to the central government for emergency assistance to support the injured and families who lost their homes.
Part of a Wider Climate Emergency
International agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, warned that Burundi is facing an elevated risk of weather-related disasters. The country has entered its second rainy season, which runs from February to June and is historically associated with floods and landslides.
Burundi remains highly vulnerable due to the lingering effects of El Niño–driven floods in 2023 and 2024, which displaced more than 100,000 people nationwide. In Bujumbura province, many residents live in informal or poorly constructed housing on unstable hillsides, increasing exposure during periods of heavy rainfall.
The landslide is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting the region, with similar disasters reported this month in southern and eastern Africa, including severe flooding in Mozambique and landslides in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ongoing Monitoring
Authorities and humanitarian organizations continue to monitor the situation closely. Burundi National Radio and Television is providing official updates, while humanitarian platforms are tracking casualties, displacement, and emergency needs.
As heavy rains persist, officials warned that additional incidents remain possible and urged communities in vulnerable areas to comply with evacuation orders.
