Death toll in Ethiopia mudslides rises to 229 as search operations continue

By Staff reporter
Published 23rd Jul 2024, 18:09 GMT
Updated 23rd Jul 2024, 18:25 GMT
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At least 229 people were killed in mudslides in a remote part of Ethiopia that has been hit with heavy rainfall, according to a local official.

Young children and pregnant women were among the victims of the mudslides in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia, said Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator.placeholder image
Young children and pregnant women were among the victims of the mudslides in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia, said Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator.

The death toll rose from 55 late on Monday to 229 by Tuesday. Search operations continued in the area, said Kassahun Abayneh, head of the Gofa Zone communications office. Gofa Zone is the administrative area where the mudslides occurred.

Most of the victims were buried in a mudslide on Monday as rescue workers searched the steep terrain for survivors of another mudslide the previous day.placeholder image
Most of the victims were buried in a mudslide on Monday as rescue workers searched the steep terrain for survivors of another mudslide the previous day.

Five people have been pulled alive from the mud, Mr Ayele said.

“There are children who have lost their entire family,” he said.

Landslides are common during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September.

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