At least 50 bodies were recovered on Monday following two devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia, according to local officials. Kassahun Abayneh, the government spokesperson for Gofa district in the South Ethiopia regional state, described the tragic events triggered by heavy rainfall the previous night.
“There was a heavy rain yesterday night and some people died from a landslide,” Abayneh said. “In the morning, locals, including police, gathered at the site to save those who were affected by the first landslide. That is when the second landslide happened around 10:00 a.m. today and those who gathered there died.”
Meskir Mitku, the district general administrator of Gofa, confirmed that women, children, and local police were among the fatalities, as reported by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC). Photographs shared by EBC on Facebook showed numerous people searching a barren hillside for victims.
This tragic event highlights the perilous conditions faced by communities in regions susceptible to landslides, particularly following heavy rains. The rescue and recovery efforts continue as the community mourns the loss of so many lives.
Melissa Enoch
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