The disastrous series of explosions that rocked the Congolese capital of Brazzaville in early March were evidently worse than ordnance-related explosions that occurred last year including a powerful explosion in the Cyprian town of Zygi which killed a dozen individuals. The Congo munition explosions itself killed 292 people and injured more than 2,000 while effectively displacing over 13,000 people. There are still missing individuals including over 50 children.

 

 

Operations are still underway at the dismal remains of the explosions to recover and identify dozens of bodies.

 

In addition, the government of Congo and other international teams of workers are still working on recovering multiple tons of munitions that haven’t yet exploded but were scattered by the series of previous explosions.

 

While the explosions were horrific enough producing gruesome sights of spilled intestines and bloodied torsos, the ongoing and cruel aftermath of the event remains to be seen through.

 

Crowded and unorganized camps of thousands of displaced people added with the climate have produced a dangerous environment devoid of hygiene and safety.

 

Unsurprisingly, cases of cholera have broken out within the city.

 

The United Nations World Health Organization confirmed multiple cases of cholera affecting pockets of the displaced population in the northern and northwestern parts of the capital city including the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

 

The above mentioned site alone is reported to be providing for approximately 6,000 of the 14,000 victims who were displaced by last month’s disaster.

 

(Cover Photo: PATRICK FORT/AFP)