Search and Rescue Intensify After Deadly Landslides in Southern Ethiopia Claim 229 Lives

Rescuers are working around the clock to find survivors and provide aid to the affected communities. The disaster, which has claimed at least 229 lives, is being described as the deadliest landslide event ever recorded in Ethiopia—a country already vulnerable to climate-related calamities.

The landslides occurred in Kencho Shacha Gozdi, a remote and mountainous area in the South Ethiopia regional state. The locality, located hundreds of kilometers from the capital Addis Ababa, is challenging to access, complicating rescue operations. Local residents, using shovels and their bare hands, are engaged in a desperate search through the vast mounds of mud, hoping to uncover both victims and survivors.

As of Wednesday, authorities have confirmed the deaths of 148 men and 81 women. Despite these numbers, the full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, with ongoing efforts to find additional victims. Senait Solomon, head of communications for the South Ethiopia regional government, reported that eight individuals have been successfully rescued from the debris and are receiving medical treatment. The number of missing persons remains unknown, but updates are anticipated as the search progresses.

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) has deployed drones to assist in the search efforts. These drones, operated by experts from the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), are crucial in navigating the challenging terrain and identifying areas where survivors might be located. Firaol Bekele, EDRMC’s early warning director, stated that the government is addressing urgent needs for food, water, medicine, and shelter while coordinating with humanitarian agencies.

The disaster has significantly impacted the local population, with more than 14,000 people affected. This includes 5,000 pregnant or lactating women and 1,300 children, all of whom require immediate evacuation due to the risk of additional landslides. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has highlighted the need for rapid evacuation, as the threat of further landslides looms large. The area, roughly 450 kilometers from Addis Ababa, is difficult to reach, complicating the delivery of aid and evacuation efforts.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced the deployment of the Federal Disaster Prevention Task Force to mitigate the disaster’s impact. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who hails from Ethiopia, has extended his condolences and pledged support through a WHO team dedicated to addressing immediate health needs. African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat and the US embassy have also sent messages of condolence and offered support, with USAID coordinating with local humanitarian partners.

The landslide has caused significant disruptions beyond immediate loss of life, with approximately 125 people displaced. The severity of this event underscores the urgent need for a thorough scientific investigation into its causes. Preliminary indications suggest that the area is prone to such disasters, and a comprehensive, study-based solution may be necessary to address the risk and potentially relocate affected populations.

The disaster follows a similar, though less severe, landslide in May that resulted in over 50 deaths in the same region. Seasonal rains between April and early May had already caused flooding and displacement in South Ethiopia, compounding the crisis.

Historically, Ethiopia has faced several deadly landslides, including a 2017 garbage dump collapse that killed 113 people. The deadliest landslide in Africa occurred in Sierra Leone in August 2017, claiming 1,141 lives, while mudslides in Uganda’s Mount Elgon region in February 2010 killed more than 350 people.

As Ethiopia confronts this latest catastrophe, the international community’s support and the country’s emergency response efforts are critical in addressing the immediate needs and planning for future disaster resilience.