The death toll from two landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 229 and may increase further as rescue operations continue into a second day, according to a government official on Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall triggered the first landslide in Gofa zone of Southern Ethiopia on Sunday night, followed by a second one on Monday morning that engulfed rescuers gathered at the site. Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response agency in Gofa Zone, described ongoing efforts to recover bodies, emphasizing the grim persistence of the search.
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Initially reported as claiming at least 50 lives, the toll surged as additional casualties included those attempting rescue operations. Distressing footage showed locals using shovels and their hands to uncover victims buried under debris.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life, with federal teams mobilized to mitigate the disaster’s impact. International solidarity poured in, with African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus offering condolences and support efforts.
Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, underscored the ongoing climate challenges in the region, urging vigilance and adherence to safety measures to avert further tragedies.
