At least 50 individuals have lost their lives, and 125 more are unaccounted for following landslides that struck three districts in southern Ethiopia after a period of intense rainfall, as per a local official’s statement on Thursday.
The landslides occurred in Gamo Zone, affecting the Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke Districts, confirmed Mesfin Manuqa, the director of disaster response for the Gamo Zone. During the rescue efforts, one individual was rescued alive from the mud.
Abebe Agena, the communication chief of Gacho Baba District, mentioned that the majority of the deceased were discovered buried in the mud, with the exact number of affected households yet to be determined.
Tilahun Kebede, the president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, expressed condolences for the tragedy and advised residents to relocate to higher ground due to ongoing rains. “Considering the current rainy season and the potential for similar disasters, I urge communities residing in elevated and flood-prone areas to take necessary precautions,” Kebede emphasized.
Ethiopia frequently experiences mudslides and floods triggered by heavy rains, especially during the rainy season. In a tragic incident in July 2024, 229 lives were claimed by a devastating mudslide following heavy rainfall in southern Ethiopia.