At least 50 individuals have lost their lives, and 125 are currently unaccounted for as landslides ravaged three regions in southern Ethiopia following a series of intense rainfall over the past week, as per a local official’s statement on Thursday.
The landslides occurred in Gamo Zone, impacting the Gacho Baba District, Kamba District, and Bonke District, as disclosed by Mesfin Manuqa, the director of disaster response in Gamo Zone.
During the rescue mission, one individual was successfully rescued from the mud, as mentioned by Manuqa. Abebe Agena, the communication chief of the Gacho Baba District, noted that a majority of the deceased were discovered buried in the mud, with the extent of affected households yet to be determined.
Expressing his condolences over the tragedy, Tilahun Kebede, the president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, advised inhabitants to relocate to higher ground due to the ongoing rainfall, emphasizing the potential recurrence of similar disasters during the rainy season.
Ethiopia frequently experiences mudslides and floods triggered by heavy downpours, particularly in the rainy season. In a tragic event back in July 2024, southern Ethiopia witnessed a devastating mudslide claiming the lives of 229 individuals due to heavy rains.
[Source: CBC News]