A centuries-old mosque in the Nigerien city of Zinder was completely destroyed by heavy rains on Tuesday, local residents confirmed.
The iconic mud building, dating back to the mid-19th century, was a symbol of the city’s rich Islamic heritage.
The mosque, built from a mixture of earth and straw, had been gradually collapsing due to the relentless rainfall.
Videos of the destruction circulated widely on social media.
The loss of the mosque is a significant blow to the local community.
For generations, worshippers from far and wide had come to pray there.
The mosque was once the second-most visited in Niger, after the UNESCO-listed Agadez mosque.
The heavy rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides across Niger, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
According to government figures, at least 217 people have been killed and 300,000 have been affected by the flooding.
Scientists warn that climate change is making extreme weather events, such as floods, more frequent and severe.
The destruction of the mosque is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change.
