Ethiopia announced on Friday a three-day national mourning period following a devastating landslide in a remote southern region of the country, where over 250 people have lost their lives so far. The death toll, which currently stands at 257 according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, is expected to reach as high as 500 as the search for bodies continues in the tiny locality of Kencho Shacha Gozdi.
Rescuers Struggle to Reach Remote Area, Hampered by Heavy Rain
Kabul 24: Rescue efforts are ongoing, with distraught survivors burying those who perished in the disaster, which is the deadliest landslide on record in Ethiopia. Rescuers are using shovels and their bare hands to sift through the mud, as heavy rain continues to hamper the search.
The remote location of the incident, about 480 kilometers (300 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa, has also made it difficult to bring in heavy machinery and aid.
Over 15,000 People Need to be Evacuated Due to Risk of Further Landslides
OCHA has stated that more than 15,000 people need to be evacuated due to the risk of further landslides in the area. This includes small children, pregnant women, and new mothers. Aid has begun arriving, with four trucks from the Ethiopian Red Cross Society delivering essential supplies.
Officials Say Most Victims Rushed to Help After First Landslide
According to officials, most of the victims were buried when they rushed to help after the first landslide, which occurred on Sunday following heavy rains. A second landslide struck on Monday, burying those who had come to assist in the rescue efforts.
