DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least six people have been killed after they were swept away by flooding rivers and drowned in dams between January 11 and February 23 this year in Tanzania's northern coastal region of Tanga, police said on Thursday.
Safia Jongo, the Tanga regional police commander, said the six people were killed after they attempted to cross over flooded rivers or swam in overflowing dams.
"Ongoing heavy rains have flooded some of the rivers and dams posing a threat to residents in the areas," Jongo told Xinhua when reached by telephone.
She said the victims included two children, two students, a farmer and a 64-year-old village chairman.
Jongo added that the deaths were reported in Korogwe, Handeni, Muheza and Kilindi districts.
She appealed to members of the public to stop attempting to cross over flooded rivers or to swim in flooded dams for their own safety. ■