In southern Ethiopia, at least 50 bodies have been recovered following two devastating landslides. The tragedy occurred in the Gofa district of the South Ethiopia regional state. According to local officials, heavy rains triggered the initial landslide on Sunday night, resulting in fatalities.
Government spokesperson Kassahun Abayneh stated, "There was a heavy rain yesterday night and some people died from a landslide." He added that on Monday morning, locals and police gathered at the site to rescue those affected by the first landslide. However, around 10:00 a.m. local time, a second landslide struck, killing many of those who had gathered to help.
Meskir Mitku, the district general administrator, confirmed to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) that women, children, and local police were among the victims. Photographs shared by EBC on Facebook depicted scores of people on a bare hillside, searching for survivors and victims amid the devastation.
