People Found Buried Underground Landslides Occurred After a Week of Heavy Rain

At least 50 people have been killed and 125 others reported missing after landslides struck three districts in southern Ethiopia following a week of heavy rainfall in the region, according to local officials on Thursday.

The landslides occurred in the Gamo area, affecting the districts of Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke, according to Mesfin Manoka, head of the regional disaster management office. He said rescue teams managed to pull one person alive from beneath the mud during ongoing search operations.

Meanwhile, Abebi Ajina, head of communications in Gacho Baba district, said most victims were found buried under the mud, noting that the number of affected families has not yet been fully determined.

Commenting on the disaster, the president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, Tilahun Kebede, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and urged residents to move to higher ground amid continuing rainfall and warnings of possible further landslides.

Kebede said: “As we are in the rainy season and there is a possibility of recurring disasters, I urge local communities in the highlands and flood-prone areas to take the necessary precautions.”

Mudslides and flooding caused by heavy rainfall are common hazards in Ethiopia, especially during the rainy season, which often brings natural disasters that impact residents and infrastructure.

It is worth noting that a similar landslide occurred in July 2024 in the south of the country, killing 229 people, highlighting the recurring nature of such disasters and their severe impact on local communities.

Emergency teams are currently continuing search operations for the missing in the affected areas, alongside efforts to assist survivors and assess the damage to homes and infrastructure.