Death Toll from Ethiopian Landslides Rises to 229

On Tuesday, July 23rd, Ethiopian officials reported that the death toll from two landslides in the southern region of Gofa has risen to 229. The landslides, triggered by heavy rains, occurred on Monday in the remote Kencho-Shacha locality. The first landslide struck in the morning, and as locals gathered to assist, a second landslide buried many of the rescuers.

Alemayehu Bawdi, a representative from the Southern Regional State, confirmed the death toll, stating that search and rescue efforts are ongoing. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported that five people were pulled alive from the mud and are receiving treatment. Local administrator Dagemawi Ayele noted that most of the victims were community members who rushed to help after the first landslide, including the locality’s administrator, teachers, and health professionals.

Gofa is part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), located approximately 320 kilometers southwest of the nation’s capital, Addis Ababa. Images shared on social media by state-affiliated media showed hundreds of people using their hands to dig through the dirt, searching for survivors.

Kemal Hashi Mohamoud, a parliamentarian, stated that the second landslide happened just minutes after the first, complicating rescue efforts. “People are preparing shelter and giving them food,” he said, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian response.

The region has been heavily impacted by seasonal rains between April and May, causing flooding and displacement. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in May that floods had impacted over 19,000 people in several zones, displacing over a thousand and causing significant damage to livelihoods and infrastructure.

This disaster adds to a history of landslides in the region. In 2018, at least 32 people were killed in two separate landslides within a week of each other. The recent flooding and landslides have occurred even as other parts of Ethiopia face severe drought, affecting traditional herding communities and leading to widespread malnutrition.

The international community has been urged to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected areas. As search and rescue operations continue, the focus remains on finding survivors and providing relief to those displaced by the disaster.