At least 157 people killed in massive mudslide

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Torrential rain-induced mudslides have claimed at least 157 lives in a remote region of southern Ethiopia, according to statements from local officials on Tuesday. The majority of the fatalities were individuals attempting to help survivors from a preceding mudslide. The deceased include young children and pregnant women.

The Kencho Shacha Gozdi district was the epicenter of the disaster, where the initial death count on Monday was 55. By Tuesday, it had escalated to 157, reported Kassahun Abayneh, head of the communications office for the Gofa Zone. The Gofa Zone is the administrative section where these devastating mudslides took place.

Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator, confirmed that many victims were engulfed by a mudslide on Monday morning as they were searching the precarious terrain for survivors of a mudslide from the day before. At least five people were rescued alive from the mud.

However, numerous people are still missing, many of whom were among the group trying to save others when they were swept away, revealed Markos Melese, director of the disaster response agency in Gofa Zone. He added, “There are children who are hugging corpses, having lost their entire family, including mother, father, brother and sister, due to the accident.”

Mudslides are a regular occurrence during Ethiopia’s rainy season, beginning in July and expected to end in mid-September. The ongoing search and rescue operations will provide aid in hopes of bringing some closure to this tragic event.