Disaster after storm - Mass funerals after landslides in Ethiopia
The desperate search for survivors continues after several landslides in the Southwest of Ethiopia. At least 229 people have been recovered according to government reports. Rescue teams fear that the number of those still buried under the earth and mud is significantly higher.
Inhabitants held mass burials in several villages in the region, as reported by a dpa reporter from the scene. Members of affected families dug desperately with bare hands for missing persons in the village Dale in the Gofa district. Others tried to find the missing using photos.
Since the first landslide on Sunday, rescue services and volunteers have been searching for survivors and primarily recovering bodies. A rescuer was also buried on Monday. The Ethiopian Red Cross spoke of "a tragedy". Thousands of families are reportedly affected. Rescue teams tried to quickly provide the people with food, shelter, medicine, and hygiene articles.
The landslides were caused by heavy rainfall. With the beginning of the rainy season in July, the likelihood of landslides increases in the hilly region of Ethiopia. The consequences of climate change also affect the country at the Horn of Africa - the latest rain was stronger than usual due to the weather phenomenon El Niño. In addition, in many regions, erosion danger threatens due to deforestation and without the roots of trees, the soil is not held together.
The Southwest of Ethiopia, often prone to landslides during the rainy season, experienced a significant increase in such incidents due to the recent heavy rainfall. This bad weather, exacerbated by climate change and El Niño, has led to a state of emergency in the region. The Ethiopian Red Cross has been working tirelessly to provide food, shelter, medicine, and hygiene articles to the affected thousands of families, all while continuing their rescue efforts. Despite the efforts, fears remain that the number of casualties could be higher than the currently reported 229, with many still believed to be buried under the debris and mud.
