One of Niger’s oldest and most iconic mosques, located in the southeastern city of Zinder, has been destroyed by torrential rains. Built in the mid-19th century, the mosque was made from a mixture of earth and straw, known as banco, and held significant cultural and religious value for the local Muslim community.
The mosque gradually collapsed on Tuesday after being battered by heavy rainfall, with videos of the destruction circulating widely on social media. Residents had been aware of cracks in the structure but were unable to intervene due to the ongoing downpour.
The southeastern Zinder region has been one of the hardest-hit areas during Niger’s rainy season, which began in June. The extreme weather has caused widespread flash floods and landslides across the country, resulting in 217 deaths, 200 injuries, and affecting over 300,000 people, according to government figures as of August 22.