Mindelo, Cabo Verde, Aug. 12, 2025 (Lusa) - Amid muddy terrain, flooded streets and damage, residents and traders on the island of São Vicente in Cabo Verde reported surprise and dismay at the rains that caused at least seven deaths and left several missing during the early hours of Monday morning.

"It was unpredictable. They called me around 3 a.m. (5 a.m. in Lisbon) to come to Praça Estrela [in the centre of Mindelo] to see my car, which could be swept out to sea. There was thunder, heavy rain, and I didn't come right away because it was risky," Amadeu Rocha, 61, a resident and shopkeeper in Mindelo, told Lusa.

An hour later, Amadeu managed to reach the scene, but his heavy vehicle had already been swept away by the waters, reaching the sea about 200 metres from Praça Estrela, the historic centre of the city and one of the most affected areas.

“A friend and the authorities helped me get it out,” he added.

Even though the vehicle was recovered, the engine, windscreen and seats were destroyed.

In addition, car and bicycle engines that he sold daily were also swept away by the sea.

He managed to rescue some, but estimates his losses at around one million escudos (€9,069).

“The damage is enormous. It’s the car I used every day to sell. I’ve been here since dawn, I don’t even know how my house is. The goods are in the car and I can’t take them home because they’re heavy,” he said, asking for government support.

“At least seven vehicles ended up in the sea. Everything was lost. I don’t even know when I’ll forget this,” he added, with tears in his eyes.

Alcir Lima, 70, has lived in Praça Estrela for 64 years and reports that “the early hours of the morning were unprecedented.”

“I went to bed as normal, it started to rain, then there was a lot of thunder and the water started to come into the house, rising to 1.20 metres. With the help of some young men, I managed to remove the mud, but there is still a lot of mud in the streets. In the morning, there were seven cars in the square. It's the first time I've seen anything like this on the island," he says.

In the same area, in Mindelo's main market, where almost 200 vendors worked, the destruction was widespread.

Manuel Ramos, 62, sold mobile phones and other electronic items, but "lost everything".

“The damage exceeds €1 million (€9,069),” he laments.

For Patrícia Almeida, 31, the feeling is one of sadness, even though her family is safe.

“Our island is destroyed. It’s the first time I’ve seen rain like this. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I hope the authorities help those most in need, with houses, clothes, everything they need,‘ she added.

António Martins, a 64-year-old resident, reports that rain on the island has always been normal.

"I've never seen such intense lightning. I feel very sad because several people have been displaced, shopkeepers who live here, everyone has been affected. But we are helping each other to clean up the water. Something has to be done. We are afraid because more rain is forecast," he added.

Taxi driver Balduíno Gomes, 49, said that there are few taxis on the road and that some of his colleagues are using open-bed trucks to transport people.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.

The impact of the storm was also felt at Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia, where travellers to São Vicente were concerned and saddened.

Fátima Pires, 50, was returning from the hospital accident and emergency department: “I left my 20-year-old son alone at home on Sunday and now I have to go back. I spent hours at the airport waiting for a seat because the flights were full.”

Benito Lopes, 46, was also trying to return to the island.

“A neighbour lost a seven-year-old child. People need psychological and material support to stabilise their lives,” he said.

At least seven people died in São Vicente due to heavy rains that fell early on Monday morning, with others still missing and damage reported to public roads, homes and vehicles.

The Cabo Verdean government has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão and two days of national mourning.

The Portuguese government has already expressed its "deep sorrow for the victims of the storm", offering "condolences to the families, the brotherly people of Cabo Verde and the authorities, expressing all forms of solidarity".

RS/AYLS // AYLS

Lusa