Landslide kills 20 in southern Ethiopia

At least 20 people were killed by a landslide in southern Ethiopia, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Monday.

The deadly landslide occurred on Monday morning at around 10:00 a.m. local time in the Geze Gofa district in southern Ethiopia, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported.

Misikir Mitiku, chief administrator of the Geze Gofa district, said rescuers have so far recovered more than 20 bodies that were buried under the mud.

He said the death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations are currently underway at the landslide area.

Ethiopia is in the midst of a rainy season which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September. Constant rains occasionally cause landslides in some parts of the East African country.