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Tragic Landslide in Ethiopia Results in Over 229 Fatalities
A devastating landslide in Ethiopia has claimed over 229 lives, leaving communities in mourning. This tragic event highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
Tragic Landslide in Southwestern Ethiopia Claims Over 229 Lives
In a devastating incident on Monday, at least 229 individuals lost their lives in southwestern Ethiopia when a massive landslide obliterated numerous homes in a village, following a prolonged period of heavy rainfall. The initial landslide struck the village located in the Geze district between 8:30 and 9 a.m., according to Habtamu Fetena, the head of the local government’s emergency response team.
In the wake of the first landslide, nearly 300 brave residents from two nearby villages rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts. They began the painstaking process of digging through the thick mud with their hands in an attempt to reach those trapped beneath. However, about an hour later, without any prior warning, a second catastrophic landslide occurred, claiming the lives of many of those who were attempting to help.
“They had no idea that the very ground they stood on was about to give way beneath them,” Mr. Fetena lamented. The village that experienced these calamities is situated in a region increasingly susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change, which include prolonged droughts followed by intense storms and more frequent, heavy rainfall, according to experts.
Such deadly landslides are not new to this region. Dagmawi Ayele, another local administrator, shared with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation that deadly landslides have previously affected the area. While some villages have been relocated following earlier incidents, these disasters are now occurring in areas where they were once rare.
The first landslide was particularly tragic, as it resulted in the loss of entire families when mud cascaded down the hillside. Among the victims of the second landslide were teachers and healthcare workers who had rushed to the aid of those affected. Tragically, the local administrative leader was also among those killed. While the majority of the deceased were men, the loss also included pregnant women and children, highlighting the profound impact of this disaster on the community.