MATSAPHA – A Cameroonian delegate died after collapsing while attending a meteorological forum in Matsapha on Wednesday.
Government confirmed the death of the delegate, who was among officials attending the 17th European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) User Forum for Africa.
According to a press statement issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the delegate collapsed and was attended to by the health team which was onsite.
Mdluli said after being administered with first aid, the delegate was rushed to hospital.
However, his condition was said to have rapidly deteriorated after arrival at the hospital, where he later died. Government said the deceased’s family had been notified and that it was working with the bereaved family and relevant authorities in Cameroon to facilitate the repatriation of his remains.
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini extended its condolences to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues and the Government and people of Cameroon.
It is worth noting that the EUMETSAT convened its 17th User Forum on October 6, gathering African national meteorological services, regional climate centres, the African Union Commission (AUC), the European Union (EU), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and other partners to advance the operational use of satellite data for forecasting, early warning and climate services across the continent.
This year’s edition is particularly timely as Africa is preparing for potentially strong El Niño events with increasing risks of droughts, floods, heatwaves, food insecurity, water stress and wider socio-economic disruption. At the Forum, the EU reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Africa on satellite meteorology, earth observation and climate services, a significant tool to respond to protect communities.
