Death Toll from Ivory Coast Floods Rises to 59

At least 59 people have died in flooding across the Ivory Coast since mid-May as the country endures an exceptionally intense rainy season, according to government officials.

The worst-hit area has been Abidjan, a city of six million residents that frequently experiences severe flooding and landslides, particularly in densely populated and vulnerable neighborhoods.

Government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly said the death toll was already high despite the rainy season being only in its early stages. Torrential rainfall struck Abidjan again on Monday, worsening conditions in flood-prone districts.

Authorities have carried out demolition and relocation campaigns for years in high-risk areas, arguing that communities that complied with safety directives have avoided casualties. The western district of Attécoubé has been among the hardest hit, recording around 20 deaths, partly due to residents returning to previously demolished sites.

Ivory Coast regularly faces deadly flooding during the rainy season, with rapid urban growth, inadequate drainage infrastructure and informal housing increasing the risks for thousands of residents.