DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Flash floods caused by heavy rains ravaged Hanang district in northern Tanzania on Sunday, leaving a toll of at least 20 fatalities, 70 injuries and scores of individuals unaccounted for, local officials said.
Janeth Mayanja, the Hanang district commissioner, said that the floods had caused catastrophic consequences as they swept away trees and stones from the hills.
"By 1:20 p.m., the death toll has reached 20, with more than 70 injures reported, and scores of others are still missing," Mayanja told a news conference in Hanang district.
"Most of the houses located on the slopes of the hills have been damaged," she said. Security agencies are still searching for the missing people.
Mayanja said road transport between Babati district in Manyara region and Singida region has been temporarily halted, and engineers are trying to restore the damaged road stretch. ■