A devastating landslide triggered by torrential rainfall has claimed the lives of a mother and her six children in Malabo, authorities have confirmed.
Rescue services said the tragedy occurred on Thursday after prolonged heavy rain battered the city, causing a concrete retaining wall to collapse onto a wooden home before a landslide engulfed the structure.
Two bodies, including that of the 36-year-old mother who was eight months pregnant, were recovered early Friday, according to witnesses at the scene. Efforts to retrieve the remaining victims continued amid difficult conditions.
A neighbour, Dominica Ada, described the moment of the disaster. She explained that the wall gave way suddenly, crashing into the house before earth and debris followed.
“The mother and her six children were all inside,” she said.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the dangers posed by extreme weather and fragile infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
Government officials, alongside the archbishop of Malabo, visited the scene to offer condolences and support ongoing rescue operations.
Heavy rains are common in Equatorial Guinea, often leading to flooding and landslides, especially in densely populated or poorly constructed neighbourhoods.
Authorities have yet to release a full report on the incident but are expected to review safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
