Karongi landslide kills two motorcyclists, injures passenger

By The Inspirer.

Heavy rainfall in Karongi District triggered a landslide that claimed the lives of two motorcyclists and left a passenger injured after debris blocked a road and engulfed them.

The incident occurred in Murambi Village, Byogo Cell, Mutuntu Sector, on the night of March 26, 2026, at around 9 p.m.

According to local authorities, the victims were traveling from Gasenyi trading center when the landslide struck. The area had experienced continuous rainfall from early evening until late at night, saturating the soil and increasing the risk of such disasters.

The deceased have been identified as Diedonné Imanirafasha, 23, from Nyabiguri Village, Gasharu Cell, and Chance Ishimwe from Gashanga Village in the same cell.

The injured passenger, Joseph Harerimana, 42, a resident of Karambo Village, Murengezo Cell, is currently receiving treatment at Kibuye Referral Hospital.

The Acting Executive Secretary of Mutuntu Sector, Fabien Ngendo, extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that the soil in the area is heavily saturated following persistent rains.

The Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) has previously forecast above-average rainfall for March 2026, raising the risk of disasters such as landslides and floods.

This incident comes just three days after a similar landslide in Gashari Sector, also in Karongi District, destroyed a house and killed two people.

The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) recently reported that from January 1, 2025, to March 18, 2026, disasters including heavy rains, landslides, and lightning have killed 207 people nationwide, injured 432 others, damaged 2,341 houses, and completely destroyed 35 homes.