At least 50 individuals have lost their lives, and 125 are currently unaccounted for following landslides that struck three districts in southern Ethiopia after a week of intense rainfall, as confirmed by a local official on Thursday. The affected areas include the Gacho Baba District, Kamba District, and Bonke District within the Gamo Zone, stated Mesfin Manuqa, the director of disaster response for the Gamo Zone.
During the rescue efforts, one individual was successfully rescued from the mud, as mentioned by Manuqa. Abebe Agena, the communication chief of the Gacho Baba District, noted that the majority of the deceased were discovered buried in the mud, with the total number of households impacted yet to be determined.
President Tilahun Kebede of the South Ethiopia Regional State expressed condolences for the tragic event and advised residents to relocate to higher ground due to the ongoing rainfall. He emphasized the importance of communities in elevated and flood-prone regions taking necessary precautions during the rainy season to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Ethiopia frequently experiences mudslides and floods caused by heavy rains, particularly during the rainy season. In a similar event in July 2024, 229 individuals lost their lives in southern Ethiopia due to a devastating mudslide triggered by heavy rainfall.