Many of the victims are responders during the first wave of the landslide that buried residential homes
borkena
Toronto – A devastating landslide in Gamo Gofa, South Ethiopia, claimed hundreds of lives. As of Tuesday, about 229 people are confirmed dead. Gamo zone’s Disaster prevention office head,Markos Melese and Geze Gofa, have confirmed the number of deaths cited above.
There is anticipation that that number of deaths could be much higher .
The Gamo Gofa Zone government communication office announced that the accident happened on Monday morning in the Gofa Zone, Kencho Sacha locality.
Sources say that 148 of the victims are mean and the remaining 81 are women.
Senayit Solomon, South Ethiopia Region Government Communication Office head, stated that the heavy rain that the area received on Sunday and Monday has caused the landslide.
First responders who were on site to rescue family members whose homes were buried by the landslide. On Monday morning, they were attempting to remove the landslide from Sunday night but the land sank causing additional landslides which buried the responders.
Chairperson of the Kebele, police and dozens of residents were on site when the second wave of the landslide suddenly hit.
Rescue and search operation is still underway. BBC Amharic cited Ato Kassahun as saying that digging started on Monday and continued on Tuesday too.
The regional government has reportedly launched an effort to mobilize resources for emergency humanitarian assistance to support those who were affected by it.
Abiy Ahmed, in his message on X , said that the Federal Disaster Prevention Task Force is deployed to the area to mitigate the damage.
African Union Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed his condolences on social media.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the more than 157 community members who tragically lost their lives in devastating landslides following heavy rains in southern Ethiopia’s #Gofa district. We stand in strong solidarity with the people and Government of #Ethiopia as rescue efforts continue to find the missing and assist the displaced,” he said.
Flooding and landslides are recurring problems in South Ethiopia. As many as 50 people were killed in 2016 due to flooding and landslides. However, the landslide this week is far more devastating and large scale. It happened in a downhill sloping area of the locality.
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This is just devastating news. Now those of us who are fortunate should come together across ethnic lines and political divide to help the survivors of this deadly disaster and the loved ones of the victims. Let’s do this!!!
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church should help survivors and others who have been displaced. The church is raising funds on a regular basis and has even donated millions to a civil war that has resulted in the slaughter of millions and the demolition of churches and mosques.
May Almighty God provide eternal rest to all who have lost their lives. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families and friends .