Al-Ahram Weekly Online 15 - 21 November 2001 Issue No.560
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Current issue | Previous issue | Site map

Unnatural disaster

THE Algerian government declared three days of national mourning, starting Tuesday, after the worst floods in nearly 40 years killed at least 579 people. Another 316 people were injured in the floods and five have been officially reported as missing. The number was expected to climb as cleanup continued.

The flash floods did most damage in Algiers's densely populated working-class district of Bab El-Oued. Muddy waters cascaded down a main road, leaving many buried under collapsed buildings or drowned in their cars. Several hundred young Algerians took to the streets of the capital on Monday to protest against the government's handling of the catastrophe.

Residents have accused the government of failing to give adequate help to rescue workers. As Algerian President Abdel- Aziz Bouteflika arrived on the scene on Monday, youths began shouting anti-government slogans, such as "Assassins in power." Newspapers said the catastrophe was partly caused by a government decision to block drains in Bab El-Oued to stop their use by armed extremists, thus preventing flood waters from draining away.

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