40 houses were destroyed by landslides in villages in eastern Uganda; at least 13 people died

NAIROBI At least 13 people died in eastern Uganda after a landslide destroyed 40 homes in six villages, aid officials said on Thursday.

Uganda Red Cross Society said 13 bodies were recovered and rescue efforts were continuing.

Local media reported that authorities expected the death toll to rise to 30.

The landslide occurred in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, where landslides are common, following heavy rains on Wednesday night.

A local journalist told The Associated Press that local officials had said an excavator would be brought in to help with rescue efforts, but the roads were covered in mud and the rain had still not fallen.

The affected area is approximately 50 acres (20 ha), with homesteads and farmland spread downhill.

The Prime Minister’s office issued a disaster alert on Wednesday, saying heavy rains across the country had closed major roads.

Two rescue boats capsized on Wednesday during a rescue mission in the Nile River, where the Pakwach bridge was flooded.