Following heavy rain, the land gave way on Monday night crushing houses below. A rescue operation in Bafoussam town had to be suspended on Tuesday night because of the continued downpour.

Rescuers were looking for survivors in the wake of the landslide

Among the 42 who died were 26 children and four pregnant women, the authorities say. Eight people have also been rescued.

Regional governor Fonka Awa Augustine said on Tuesday that people had built homes on unsafe ground despite government warnings.