At least 50 individuals have perished, and 125 are unaccounted for following landslides that struck three regions in southern Ethiopia after prolonged heavy rainfall, as stated by a local official on Thursday. The affected districts are Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke within the Gamo Zone, as reported by Mesfin Manuqa, the director of disaster response in the area.
During the rescue efforts, one person was successfully rescued from the mud, as confirmed by Manuqa. Abebe Agena, the communication chief of Gacho Baba District, noted 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, conveyed his condolences regarding 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 areas taking preventive measures, considering the recurring nature of such disasters during the rainy season.
Ethiopia frequently experiences mudslides and floods triggered by heavy rains, particularly during the rainy season. In a similar incident in July 2024, 229 individuals lost their lives in southern Ethiopia due to a fatal mudslide caused by intense rainfall.