The search for survivors of a devastating mudslide in southern Ethiopia, which has tragically claimed the lives of at least 229 people, continued on Tuesday.
The death toll, initially reported at 55, rose significantly, with local authorities confirming that many of the deceased were individuals who had bravely attempted to rescue others.
The disaster struck Ethiopia’s remote Kencho Shacha Gozdi district following heavy rains. Among the victims were young children and pregnant women. Despite the grim toll, there have been at least five survivors rescued, according to Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences on Facebook and announced the activation of the federal disaster prevention task force to aid in ongoing search and rescue operations.
The exact number of people still missing remains unknown.
On Monday, funerals were held for numerous victims while rescue teams continued to comb through the rugged terrain affected by previous mudslides.
Authorities from the communications office in Gofa Zone, where the mudslides occurred, confirmed that search efforts were ongoing. Markos Melese, director of the disaster response agency in Gofa Zone, noted that several rescuers themselves remain unaccounted for.
Amidst the rescue operations, emotional scenes unfolded as onlookers witnessed rescuers using shovels to clear away thick mud in hopes of finding survivors.
Landslides are a recurring hazard during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which spans from July to mid-September.