Rains cause bus crashes in Niger, at least 20 dead

NIAMEY, Aug 5 (Reuters) Torrential rains in Niger caused two bus crashes early today, killing at least 20 people, witnesses and officials said.

At least six passengers in a minibus were swept away by flood water when the bridge they were crossing collapsed near the village of Boubon, 15 km from the capital Niamey.

''The search is still going on because there are still people missing,'' said Boubon resident Saley Soumana.

The downpour also caused a bus to skid off the road near Dosso, 130 km southeast of Niamey, killing 14 passengers and injuring scores more, officials said.

Many roads and vehicles are poorly maintained in Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, on the southern edge of the Sahara.

For most of the year drought-like conditions make life a struggle for the country's subsistence farmers, but the start of the rainy season often brings flash floods.

REUTERS RSA HT1932