Ethiopia Monastery Landslide Kills Worshippers in Amhara

At least 14 worshippers have been killed after a landslide hit a mountain monastery during an overnight prayer ceremony in northern Ethiopia’s Amhara region. Ethiopia monastery landslide, This happened when a mountain collapsed due to heavy rains and covered people who were attending a prayer ceremony.

Local authorities confirm that the rescue missions are over as funerals have been conducted for most of the casualties. This is just one of the numerous tragedies caused by rain-related incidents in Ethiopia that happen annually during its rainy season.

Mountain Crumbles During Night-time Prayers

This tragedy occurred early Monday morning at the Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery, a place of pilgrimage for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians with a mountain prayer chamber carved into rocks.

As per the local authorities, the continuous rains overnight had caused instability on the hill above the prayer cave in which dozens of worshippers had gathered.

“The earth from the hill above the cave fell because of the continuous rain overnight,” local senior official Dagnachew Azbite said.

It has been confirmed that fourteen people had lost their lives, while seven others had been injured, out of which five are seriously ill.

Holy Water Blessing Ceremony Attracts Hundreds of Worshippers

As per the church officials, the overnight prayers had involved the holy water washing ceremony, which is an age-old tradition practiced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

This ceremony draws people seeking divine healing from chronic ailments as well as other problems.

According to Megabe Hadis Neka Tibeb Ababu, General Manager of the North Shewa Diocese, the majority of people who lost their lives had come to pray for the holy water blessing.

11 victims have been buried in the monastery, while the rest have been handed over to their families for burial.

It has also been observed that identification of some victims was not easy due to the nature of the landslide.

Rescue Efforts Have Come to an End

Several emergency responders, medical practitioners, members of security agencies, and locals took part in the search and rescue process after the disaster struck.

Nevertheless, officials have said that search and rescue processes have come to an end as no further survivors have been rescued.

Archbishop Abune Klementos, who is the Bishop of the Diocese of North Shewa of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, paid a visit to the monastery and led funeral prayers for the dead and prayed for the injured.

Heavy Rains Lead to Deadly Landslides

The occurrence of deadly landslides is common across Ethiopia during its major rainy season, which usually runs between June and August.

The above disaster follows a series of weather disasters that have occurred recently.

Previously this year, hundreds of people died in the landslides and floods that hit southern Gamo Zone after many days of heavy rains.

In July 2024, over 229 people lost their lives in a massive landslide in the neighboring Geze Gofa Zone.

Climate Change Heightening Extreme Weather Risk

Climate scientists have sounded the alarm about the increased frequency of extreme weather events in East Africa.

During the past two decades, there have been reports from scientific research indicating a rise in the frequency of long droughts and heavy rainfall.

Scientists attribute the increase in the frequency of storms, heavy rainfall, and floods to human-caused climate change.

Conclusion – Ethiopia monastery landslide

The landslide at Ethiopia’s Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of extreme weather in the rainy seasons of the country. With the loss of family members being mourned by families, the government continues to evaluate the disaster as climate scientists warn that extreme weather may cause similar disasters if communities remain unprepared against natural disasters.