Death toll rises to 229 in southern Ethiopia landslide

The death toll from a landslide in southern Ethiopia has risen to 229 as rescue operations are currently underway, local government officials said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

Misikir Mitiku, the chief administrator of the Geze Gofa District, told a press conference on Tuesday that the first landslide incident occurred Sunday night after hours of heavy rains, affecting three family members. Additional accidents that occurred Monday morning eventually buried an unknown number of local community members who had gathered at the scene for rescue efforts.

Among the casualties were children and women as well as security personnel and local government officials who were undertaking rescue operations.

As part of precautionary measures following the deadly incident, local authorities said they have temporarily relocated vulnerable community members into public facilities, such as schools.

They said some 10 individuals who were rescued alive are currently receiving medical treatments in nearby health facilities.

Local officials also said the death toll is likely to rise as more and more dead bodies are being recovered buried under the mud.

The deadly landslide occurred as Ethiopia is in the midst of a rainy season, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September. Seasonal rains occasionally cause deadly landslides in some parts of the East African country.

Markos Melese, head of the Gofa Zone Disaster Risk Management Office, told the Ethiopian News Agency on Tuesday that the area has been prone to similar landslide incidents in the past.

Noting that the latest landslide has caused great damage with mounting casualties, Melese said coordinated efforts are currently underway to support the affected communities, including those who are displaced after the disaster.

As part of rescue efforts, the Ethiopian Red Cross Association and professionals from neighboring regions and zones are currently at the site, helping the victims.

The local government has called on all Ethiopians to extend support and attention needed to the zone for further rescue efforts to find the missing while also assisting the displaced people.

Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party, in a statement issued Tuesday, also called for concerted efforts among stakeholders toward rehabilitating the people impacted by the landslide.