UN: Death toll from landslide in Ethiopia rises to 257

Disaster after bad weather - UN: Death toll from landslide in Ethiopia rises to 257

The number of dead after multiple landslides in Southwestern Ethiopia has risen to at least 257, according to UN reports. The UN-Emergency Response Coordination Office OCHA estimates up to 500 fatalities on the X platform. Over 15,000 people are reportedly displaced.

On Wednesday, Ethiopia's government spoke of 229 dead. Search and rescue efforts continue. Four days since the first landslide on Sunday, rescue teams are racing against time. They are hoping to find survivors but are primarily recovering bodies.

Mass burials in villages

Residents held mass burials in several villages in the region, as reported by a dpa reporter on the scene. In the village of Dale in the Gofa district, residents dug graves with bare hands in a desperate search for the missing. Others tried to find the missing using photos. On Monday, a volunteer was buried during the rescue efforts.

The Ethiopian Red Cross spoke of a "tragedy." Thousands of families are reportedly affected and have lost their homes. Rescue teams are trying to quickly provide food, shelters, medicine, and hygiene supplies to the affected people.

Heavy rain as cause

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the tragedy. The African branch of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dispatched an emergency team to support the rescue efforts on site.

The landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall. With the onset of the rainy season in July, the likelihood of landslides increases in Ethiopia's hilly region. The effects of climate change also affect the country at the Horn of Africa - the recent rainfall was stronger than usual due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. In addition, in many regions, erosion danger looms due to deforestation, and without the tree roots, the soil is not held together.

1. Despite the ongoing rescue operations, the 'sacrifice count' continues to rise each day due to the persistent 'landslides' in Southwestern Ethiopia.
2. The。UN, UN-Emergency Response Coordination Office OCHA, and the African branch of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are all involved in providing aid and support during this 'Emergency' situation.
3. The heavy 'rain' has been identified as the main cause of these 'landslides', making rescue efforts more challenging and increasing the 'disaster' impact.
4. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed his 'concern' over the escalating situation in Ethiopia, urging for immediate action to mitigate the damage.
5. The 'weather' in Ethiopia's Southwest has proven to be 'unclever', with the El Niño phenomenon resulting in stronger than usual 'rainfall', contributing to the landslides.
6. The ongoing 'climate change' has also negatively affected the region, making the soil more susceptible to 'erosion' and contributing to the severity of the landslides.

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