(VOVWORLD) - Arbaat Dam in eastern Sudan collapsed on Sunday, resulting in severe flooding that has killed at least 60 people, with hundreds still missing, a Sudanese official said Monday.
 The collapse of Arbaat Dam in eastern Sudan kills at least 60 people (Photo: AFP) |
Omer Issa Tahir, head of the Red Sea State Water Corporation, said the dam collapse destroyed villages near Port Sudan, the capital. He called for an emergency response and said the priority is to evacuate those trapped by the flooding.
Local media said the dam collapse, caused by heavy rains, led to flood waters filled with silt destroying nearby villages and making rescue efforts difficult.
The dam, located 20 kilometers north of Port Sudan, has a reservoir with a capacity of 25 million cubic meters and is a major water source for the city.