CAIRO, EGYPT – A devastating dam collapse in Sudan’s eastern Red Sea state has unleashed floodwaters that have inundated nearby homes, leaving at least four people dead and dozens more missing, according to the country’s health ministry. The Arbaat dam, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Port Sudan, gave way late Sunday following heavy rainfall in the region
The collapse has led to extensive damage, with local media reporting conflicting numbers of missing individuals. The Sudanese news site Al-Tagheer cited a local official, Amr Eissa Taher, head of water resources for the Red Sea state, who estimated at least 60 people dead. Another outlet, Medameek, reported over 100 people missing, with many residents fleeing to higher ground to escape the floodwaters.
The catastrophic event comes amid ongoing turmoil in Sudan, where a brutal conflict has raged since April 2023 between the nation’s military and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has devastated civilian infrastructure, exacerbating the impact of natural disasters like this dam collapse.
In response to the flooding, Sudan’s health ministry has deployed resources to assist those stranded by the rising waters. However, the scale of the disaster has been compounded by the ongoing war, which has crippled the country’s healthcare system and other essential services.
Sudan is currently grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The conflict has forced over 10.7 million people to flee their homes, creating the largest displacement crisis globally. Amid this turmoil, the country is also facing a cholera outbreak, with poor sanitation and flooding contributing to the spread of the disease.
As rescue operations continue, the full extent of the damage and loss of life remains unclear, with local officials and international organizations working to provide aid to those affected by this latest tragedy.