ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (HT) — In a catastrophic event, mudslides triggered by relentless heavy rains have claimed the lives of at least 229 people in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia. This tragic incident, which has left the nation in mourning, was confirmed by local authorities on Tuesday.
Among the victims are young children and pregnant women, as well as numerous rescuers who valiantly attempted to save others, according to Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator. Despite the harrowing circumstances, at least five individuals have been rescued alive from the debris.
The initial death toll of 55, reported late Monday, surged dramatically as search operations intensified. Kassahun Abayneh, head of the communications office in Gofa Zone, the affected administrative area, stated that efforts to locate survivors are ongoing.
Ethiopia’s ruling party issued a statement lamenting the disaster, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conveyed his profound grief on Facebook, describing the loss as “terrible.” According to the Prime Minister’s statement, the federal disaster prevention task force has been deployed to bolster the search and rescue operations.
The exact number of missing persons remains uncertain. Markos Melese, director of the disaster response agency in Gofa Zone, highlighted the emotional toll, noting the presence of children clinging to the corpses of family members. “There are children who are hugging corpses, having lost their entire family, including mother, father, brother, and sister,” Melese said.
Rescuers, often working with rudimentary tools like shovels, continue to navigate the treacherous terrain in hopes of finding survivors. The heart-wrenching cries of women punctuate the scene as they watch the rescue efforts unfold.
Mudslides are a frequent hazard during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which begins in July and typically lasts until mid-September. The wider East African region is similarly vulnerable to such natural disasters. In April, flash floods and a landslide in Kenya’s Rift Valley region resulted in 45 fatalities and significant infrastructural damage.
This unfolding tragedy in Ethiopia underscores the persistent risk posed by seasonal rains and the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response measures in the region.
This story is still unfolding; stay tuned for more updates.
References: Reuters – BBC News – Al Jazeera
