Tourists Evacuated by Air and Ground from Flooding in Maasai Mara National Reserve
In a dramatic rescue operation, tourists were evacuated by helicopter from the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya as devastating flooding caused chaos in the popular safari destination. More than 14 tourist camps were flooded and tents were swept away as the Talek river burst its banks, leaving tourists and local staff stranded.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported rescuing 36 people by air and 25 by ground as the floodwaters continued to rise. Tour operators were unable to access the Talek gate due to the dangerous conditions, leaving tourists waiting to be evacuated.
One tour driver described the harrowing scene of tourists and local staff climbing trees to escape the surging waters. The death toll in Kenya has reached 181, with many more missing and fears that animals have also been swept away by the floods.
Heavy rains are expected to continue in the region, leading to more devastation in the days to come. Criticism has been directed towards the government for what some see as slow rescue efforts and inadequate infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the floods.
In response to the crisis, President William Ruto has ordered military involvement in the search and rescue efforts and has promised government support for rebuilding homes destroyed by the flooding. He has warned of the ongoing risk of flooding and urged residents to evacuate to higher ground to ensure their safety.
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