Two babies rescued from Congo lake days after floods

By BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld)

DRC

Two babies have been rescued alive after they were found near the shores of Lake Kivu, days after deadly floods in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Residents said they were found floating on the debris of houses washed into the lake.

“They were rescued alive. It is a miracle, we were all amazed,” Delphin Birimbi, the head of Kalehe – a civil society group, told the BBC.

Sadly the babies’ parents had died in the floods, he said.

“We are in touch with people who can help us to raise them,” he added.

They were rescued on Monday in different areas – one in Bushushu another in Nyamukubi, the most affected localities.

Mr Birimbi says around 5,255 people are still missing – and rescue activities are ongoing.

More than 400 people are known to have died in last week’s floods.

According to Kalehe, 200 people are being treated for injuries in local clinics following the floods, which have destroyed at least 1,300 homes and “many schools, health facilities, churches and much water infrastructure”.