Ethiopia’s mudslide death toll rises to 229 while survivor search is still under progress

Tuesday’s hunt for survivors of a catastrophic mudslide in southern Ethiopia carried on; the fatality count had stood at least 229. Driven by strong rain, the calamity hit the isolated Kencho Shacha Gozdi area.

From an initial tally of 55, local officials said that the notable rise in deaths included many people who tried to save survivors from a past mudslide. Among the dead were expecting mothers and small toddlers. Local administrator Dagmawi Ayele said at least five persons were pulled alive from the heavy mud.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his sincere sympathies for the sad death on Facebook and declared the federal disaster prevention task force to be activated in order to support the continuous search and rescue activities.

The precise count of still missing persons is yet unknown. Many corpses were put to rest on Monday while rescue teams searched the difficult terrain for survivors.

Authorities from the communications office in Gofa Zone, the administrative zone where the mudslides happened, indicate that search activities are still under progress in the impacted area. Director of the Gofa Zone disaster response agency Markos Melese noted that several rescuers remain missing.

While rescue teams labored nonstop, some ladies waited in agony as rescuers cleared the thick mud with shovels in search of more survivors.

Ethiopia’s rainy season, which started in July and is predicted to last until mid-September, brings regular incidence of landslides. Often resulting in such natural disasters and major loss of life and property, the heavy and continuous rainfall is a result.

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As they hunt any last survivors and rescue the bodies of those who have sadly passed away, local authorities and disaster response teams find difficult circumstances. The terrible loss and damage the mudslides produce is much lamented in the community.

The continuous efforts draw attention to the need of more disaster readiness and response strategies in places likely to experience such natural events. Emphasizing the need of solidarity and support during these difficult times, the federal disaster prevention task force and local authorities are cooperating to help the impacted families and communities.