SW News: The Holy Father, Pope Francis, sent a telegram to Archbishop Arnaldo Catalan, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Rwanda in Africa, on Thursday, May 4, expressing his condolences to all those impacted by the tragic floods and emphasizing his spiritual closeness to them.

Heavy rains and devastating floods wreaked havoc throughout the country on Thursday, killing at least 130 people and displacing hundreds as mud rivers swept away buildings and other infrastructure in a number of locations, the worst of which was reported in the Western Province near Lake Kivu.

According to the Pope, recent floods in Rwanda's western and northern regions resulted in widespread fatalities and destruction. He also committed to praying for the protection of people who had lost loved ones, been wounded, had to move, and were now working with recovery operations.

The pontiff concluded his message by invoking the Apostolic Blessing on the people of Rwanda.

During this period, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente visited the most severely affected districts of western Rwanda. He cautioned that the death toll may grow as the hunt for any remaining missing individuals proceeds.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan government has dispatched emergency supplies to the worst-hit areas where people are being housed in tents. Deputy government spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda told AFP that people have been told to remain there until the deluge stops as there are fears of more landslides and flooding with the river still in spate and the land unstable.

"The death toll is now 130 people. We do not know the total number of homeless people at the moment, but counting is ongoing," Mukuralinda said.