"Algerian Sahara flooding kills 30, injures dozens" by Alfred de Montesquiou, Associated Press | October 3, 2008
ALGIERS - Torrential rains in the Algerian Sahara caused flash floods that killed 30 people and injured dozens in a historic oasis region, officials in the North African nation said yesterday.
Hundreds of people had to be rescued by helicopter and up to 600 houses were destroyed in the rains Tuesday and Wednesday around the medieval town of Ghardaia, the official APS news agency said.
The army has been deployed in Ghardaia to prevent looting, APS quoted the Interior Ministry as saying. It reported some 400 tons of food were being sent to the zone, along with 1,000 tents and 200,000 blankets. There was concern that drinking water was contaminated, and authorities were working to reopen damaged roads and downed electricity and gas links. --more--"
