In Ethiopia’s Gofa Zone, a catastrophic mudslide has claimed 229 lives, with the death toll expected to rise. The disaster struck on Monday after heavy rains triggered the landslide in this remote southern region.
The death toll from two landslides in southern Ethiopia has jumped to 229 and could rise further as the search for survivors and casualties continues. #Ethiopia #EthiopiaLandslide #WorldNews #landslide #twinlandslide | Source: Reuters pic.twitter.com/tFVnD1XCCI
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Rescue operations are ongoing, but many people remain missing. Tragically, some of those missing were attempting to rescue others when they were themselves engulfed by the mud. Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response Agency in Gofa, said, “We are still recovering bodies. We are still digging.”
Photographs from the scene show people frantically digging through the mud with their bare hands, highlighting the lack of emergency services. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that federal officials had been dispatched to assist.
Ethiopia’s Gofa district hit by two landslides, death toll rises to 229@JyotsnaKumar13 brings you this report
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The victims include 148 men and 81 women, according to the Gofa Zone Communications Affairs Department. The search for bodies continues with urgency. District administrator Misikir Mitiku explained that the death toll increased after some rescuers also became trapped in the mud, describing the event as “a very sad incident.”
The death toll from Monday’s landslide in southern Ethiopia has risen to 229, the local government said on Tuesday. #XinhuaNews pic.twitter.com/jTXD7Ki5ct
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The situation is heartrending, with local administrator Dagmawi Ayele recounting scenes of children holding onto the bodies of their deceased family members—mothers, fathers, siblings—all lost in the disaster. Despite the overwhelming tragedy, there have been moments of hope, as at least five people have been rescued alive from the mud.
Major Points:
- The mudslide in Ethiopia’s Gofa Zone has resulted in 229 confirmed deaths, with the toll likely to rise.
- Heavy rains triggered the disaster on Monday, causing widespread devastation in the remote southern region.
- Rescuers are still searching for missing persons, including some who were caught in the mud while trying to save others.
- The victims include 148 men and 81 women, with ongoing efforts to recover bodies and assist survivors.
- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, and federal officials have been deployed to aid in the response.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
