At least 50 individuals have lost their lives due to landslides in southern Ethiopia, as reported by local authorities. The tragic events reportedly unfolded on Sunday evening and Monday morning, following heavy rains in a remote mountainous region of the Gofa zone.
Officials confirmed that the search for survivors is ongoing, but that there remains a possibility of an increased death toll. Eyewitness accounts depict scenes of hundreds gathering at the site, with many digging through the debris in hopes of finding those trapped beneath.
Visuals from the incident show a partially collapsed hillside, exposing large areas of disturbed earth. Meskir Mitku, the general administrator of the Gofa zone, reported that among the deceased are women, children, and police officers who were responding to the crisis.
Kassahun Abayneh, a government spokesperson for the Gofa district, detailed the chain of events, stating that following the initial landslide, locals—including police—gathered to assist in rescue efforts. Tragically, a second landslide struck at approximately 10:00 AM local time, resulting in additional casualties.
Gofa, located approximately 320 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, has been notably affected by severe rain and flooding in recent months, as highlighted by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This region has a history of landslides and flooding; in May 2016, similar conditions led to at least 50 fatalities.
Experts indicate that multiple factors contribute to the risk of flooding in the area, with climate change exacerbating extreme weather conditions. The global temperature has risen approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius since the industrial era began, and without significant reductions in emissions, further increases are anticipated.
