A dam in Kenya’s Rift Valley burst late Wednesday, killing at least 27 people.

Water swept away numerous homes and businesses after breaking through the Patel Dam in Solai, about 150 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.

Officials said about 40 people had been rescued and taken to hospitals, and rescue crews continued searching Thursday for more people who could be trapped.

The region has seen heavy rains during the past two months, causing floods and mudslides that had already killed more than 130 people.

The Kenyan government said Wednesday the rains had displaced 220,000 people.
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