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A landslide occurred on Sunday night, followed by another on Monday morning, which compounded the tragedy by burying rescue workers attempting to aid the victims of the initial slide.
NEW DELHI: Rescue efforts are underway in southern Ethiopia where a devastating series of mudslides has resulted in a rising death toll. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Thursday that the confirmed number of fatalities has reached 257, with fears that the toll could climb to 500 as search teams continue their work.
The catastrophic slides were triggered by heavy rainfall over the weekend in the Gofa Zone of the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district. A landslide occurred on Sunday night, followed by another on Monday morning, which compounded the tragedy by burying rescue workers attempting to aid the victims of the initial slide.
OCHA highlighted the urgent need for evacuation, stating that “more than 15,000 affected people need to be evacuated immediately due to the risk of further landslides.” The situation is dire, with at least 125 people displaced and 12 injured. Rescue operations have been hampered by the challenging terrain, as seen in harrowing images showing locals digging through thick mud with their bare hands.
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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who expressed his deep sadness over the disaster, is expected to visit the affected area on Friday. “I am deeply saddened by this terrible loss,” he said earlier this week.
The mudslides have shocked the community, with survivors recounting their harrowing experiences. Tseganesh Obole, a survivor, described how her family was engulfed by the mud: “I was swallowed by a mudslide along with many people, including my children.” Four of her children were reported dead and buried, while her husband remains missing.
The disaster in Gofa Zone is the deadliest landslide Ethiopia has recorded to date. The country is highly vulnerable to such climate-related disasters, with previous incidents including a 2016 landslide in Wolaita that killed 41 and unusually heavy rains in November 2022 that displaced hundreds of thousands.
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his condolences, with his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, noting, “The United Nations and its partners are working closely with the government, evaluating the humanitarian situation to determine the extent of the damage and assess the humanitarian needs of the affected population.” Emergency supplies, including food, nutrition, and health aid, are being dispatched to support the survivors.
The Gofa region, prone to such disasters, has seen conservation efforts underway, including tree planting, aimed at mitigating future risks. Despite these efforts, the region remains highly susceptible to climate-induced calamities.
