Natural Disaster
At Least 229 People Killed in Ethiopia Landslides
Residents seen using bare hands to dig through dirt in search of survivors in remote, mountainous area.
Gofa Zone, Ethiopia – The death toll from two devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 229, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The landslides, which occurred in the remote and mountainous Gofa Zone, were triggered by intense rainfall and have left communities in mourning and rescue teams scrambling to find survivors.
The first landslide struck on Monday morning, burying numerous individuals under the mud. As rescue operations were underway, a second landslide occurred, tragically claiming the lives of several rescuers who were attempting to save those trapped in the initial disaster. The fatalities include 148 men and 81 women, with children and pregnant women among the deceased.
Habtamu Fetena, a local representative, informed the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) that the number of casualties could rise further as search and rescue efforts continue. "There are children who are holding onto the bodies of their relatives, having lost their entire family, including their parents and siblings, because of this tragedy," he noted.
Dagmawi Ayele, the zone's administrator, shared with EBC that five individuals who were trapped in the mud had been rescued and are currently receiving medical care. He also mentioned that community members are actively searching for additional survivors, often using their bare hands to sift through the mud in the absence of heavy machinery.
Images from the disaster site depict a grim scene, with rescuers and residents working tirelessly to locate bodies and survivors. The majority of the excavation work has been performed manually, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by those on the ground.
Geological studies indicate that Ethiopia is particularly susceptible to landslides during the rainy season, which commenced in July and is expected to continue until mid-September. In recent months, heavy rains have caused flooding in several regions of the country, displacing thousands of people. According to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 43 individuals lost their lives to floods and landslides the previous year.
The Gofa Zone, situated in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), approximately 320 kilometers southwest of the capital city Addis Ababa, has a history of severe landslides. In May 2018, twin landslides in the region claimed 45 lives, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of these communities to natural disasters.
Local administrator Misikir Mitiku explained that the death toll rose dramatically after rescuers themselves became trapped in the second landslide. "Initially, three families were buried by the landslide. We are still looking for bodies. However, the death toll rose dramatically after rescuers themselves became trapped," Mitiku said.
Parliament member Kemal Hashi Mohamoud shared with Al Jazeera that the landslide occurred "a few minutes" after the first. "People are preparing shelters and providing food," he added, emphasizing the community's efforts to support those affected by the disaster.
The region has been severely impacted by seasonal rains from April to May, leading to flooding and significant displacement. In May, OCHA reported that floods affected over 19,000 individuals across several zones, displacing over a thousand and damaging livelihoods and infrastructure.
These flooding and landslide events have transpired concurrently with severe drought conditions affecting other regions of the country, prompting traditional herding communities to seek alternative methods for food production.
As search and rescue operations continue, the full extent of the tragedy is still unfolding. Authorities and humanitarian organizations are working to provide immediate relief and support to the affected communities, but the road to recovery will undoubtedly be long and arduous. The Ethiopian government and international aid agencies are urged to enhance disaster preparedness and response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of such natural calamities in the future.