Ethiopia: Death toll from Ethiopian landslides jumps to 229

A government official reported on Tuesday that the death toll from two landslides in southern Ethiopia has surged to 229, with numbers expected to increase as the search for survivors and casualties continued into its second day.

Following heavy rain a landslide buried people in Gofa zone in Southern Ethiopia regional state on Sunday night, then a second one engulfed others who had gathered to help on Monday morning.

“I don’t know when it will stop. We are still recovering bodies,” Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response agency in Gofa Zone, told Reuters by phone.

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Initial Death Toll and Rescue Efforts

On Monday, an official confirmed that at least 50 people had perished, including children and police officers.

Footage from the local administration showed individuals using shovels and their bare hands to dig up bodies.

“The death toll increased after some of the rescuers became trapped themselves,” said Gofa district administrator Misikir Mitiku, describing the situation as “a very sad incident.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the significant loss of life and stated that federal officials had been dispatched to mitigate the disaster’s impact.

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International Support and Calls for Vigilance in Ethiopia

African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed solidarity with Ethiopia, emphasizing ongoing rescue efforts to locate the missing and assist the displaced on social media platform X.

World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian, conveyed his thoughts to the affected families and noted that a WHO team had been sent to address immediate health needs.

Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, urged vigilance and adherence to safety protocols in light of the region’s ongoing battle with the severe effects of climate change.