The death toll from two devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia has surged to 229, with the number expected to rise further as rescue efforts continue, a government official reported on Tuesday.
Triggered by heavy rainfall, the first landslide occurred in the Gofa zone of Southern Ethiopia’s regional state on Sunday night, burying numerous residents. A second landslide struck on Monday morning, engulfing many who had gathered to assist in rescue operations.
“I don’t know when it will stop. We are still recovering bodies,” said Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response agency in Gofa Zone, in a phone interview with Reuters. “We are still digging.”
Initially, officials reported at least 50 fatalities, including children and police officers. However, the toll has escalated dramatically. Footage from the local administration shows people desperately digging through debris with shovels and bare hands in search of survivors.
“The death toll surged after the people who came to rescue also got trapped,” explained Gofa district administrator Misikir Mitiku. “It is a very sad incident.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his deep sorrow over the significant loss of life, announcing that federal officials have been deployed to mitigate the disaster’s impact.
“We stand in strong solidarity with the people and Government of Ethiopia as rescue efforts continue to find the missing and assist the displaced,” African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat stated on the social media platform X.
World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian, shared his condolences, adding that a WHO team had been dispatched to support immediate health needs.
“As the region continues to face the harsh impacts of climate change, we urge everyone to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols to protect lives and prevent further tragedies,” said Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a regional bloc.
The landslides have underscored the vulnerability of the region to climate-induced disasters, highlighting the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response measures.