ADDIS ABABA: At least 55 people were killed in a landslide incident in a remote area of southern Ethiopia on Monday, local authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The landslide struck on Monday morning around 10am local time (0700 GMT) in the Gofa zone, according to a statement from the Gofa zone Communications Affairs Department. Local chief Dagmawi Zerihun confirmed the tragic incident and expressed concern that the number of casualties may increase further.
“More than 55 bodies have been found from the landslide,” Dagmawi stated. “The death toll could yet increase as search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”
The remote region was hit by heavy rainfall prior to the landslide, exacerbating the risk of such natural disasters in the area.
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Rescue teams, including local authorities and volunteers, are working tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the debris and unstable terrain. The efforts are described as “vigorous” as responders race against time to locate any remaining people trapped under the rubble.
This is not the first time the region has witnessed such a tragic event. In 2018, similar landslides claimed the lives of at least 32 people within a week of each other, underscoring the vulnerability of the area to natural disasters exacerbated by heavy rains.
Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, frequently experiences seasonal rains which can lead to landslides and flooding in various parts of the country, particularly in remote and mountainous regions.
