On 21–22 July 2024, two landslides buried two villages in the South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia, killing 257 people and injuring 12.[1] The second landslide buried those who had arrived to help in the wake of the first. These were the deadliest landslides in Ethiopian history.
  | |
| Date | 21–22 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kencho-Shacha locality, Geze Gofa, Gofa Zuria, Ethiopia |
| Coordinates | 6°18′N 36°48′E / 6.3°N 36.8°E |
| Cause | Heavy rains |
| Deaths | 257 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 12 |
Background
editGofa is situated in South Ethiopia Regional State, approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the capital Addis Ababa, a journey that takes around 10 hours by car. According to statements from locals, the area where the landslides occurred was rural, remote, and mountainous. The soil in the region is known to be unstable, and landslides and heavy rains lead to deadly incidents every year.[2] In 2016, heavy rains in Wolaita, also in South Ethiopia, led to landslides which killed 41 people.[3] In May 2024, 50 people were killed in a landslide in the same area as the July event.[4]
Incident
editFollowing heavy rains in the locality of Kencho-Shacha in Geze Gofa, the first landslide occurred the evening of 21 July, burying four households.[5][6][4] The next morning at about 10:00 EAT (07:00 UTC), a second landslide occurred as people arrived at the scene to rescue survivors, leading to additional deaths.[7][8] Between the landslides, two nearby villages were buried.[9]
At least 257 deaths were attributed to the landslide,[1] including 148 men and 81 women, making it Ethiopia's deadliest landslide.[2] Among the dead was the locality's administrator.[4] The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that the final death toll could exceed 500.[1]
Aftermath
editEthiopian state-affiliated media outlet Fana Broadcasting Corporate shared images on Facebook of rescuers digging through the disaster area with shovels and their bare hands.[7] On 23 July, Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response Agency in Gofa Zone, told Reuters that first responders were still recovering bodies.[9] By that same day, at least 10 people had been rescued from the rubble.[10]
First responders reported that families were identifying and claiming victims' bodies, while unclaimed remains were buried on-site. A volunteer told Addis Standard that recovered bodies were collected in a tent for a later burial ceremony. The initial lack of machinery among responders reportedly hindered search efforts.[11] The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that at least 15,515 people were affected by the disaster, adding that urgent evacuations were needed for these people who are at high risk of further such incidents due to continuing rains.[12][13]
Response
editOn social media, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed sorrow and stated that emergency services had been deployed.[11] He visited the site of the landslide on 26 July.[14] The Federal Parliamentary Assembly declared a period of mourning from 27 to 29 July.[15]
African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat conveyed his support on social media, stating that efforts to find the missing and assist the displaced were ongoing.[2]
World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his condolences to the affected families and noted that a WHO team had been dispatched to support immediate health needs.[9]
Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, urged vigilance and adherence to safety protocols amid the ongoing impacts of climate change to prevent further disasters.[9]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c "Death toll from Ethiopia landslide hits 257, could reach 500". news.com.au. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Death toll from Ethiopia landslides rises to 229". Al Arabiya. Agence France-Presse. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "More than 200 die in southern Ethiopia landslides". France 24. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Scramble to send aid after Ethiopia landslide kills over 200". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "At least 229 people killed in Ethiopia landslides". Al Jazeera. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopian landslides kill 229 people". The East African. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Death toll from Ethiopia landslide rises to 146: local official". Macau Business. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Yibeltal, Kalkidan. "Frantic digging at scene of deadly Ethiopia landslides". BBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Death toll from Ethiopian landslides jumps to 229, official says". Reuters. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Yibeltal, Kalkidan; Cooney, Christy (23 July 2024). "Ethiopia landslide rescuers pull 229 bodies from mud". BBC News. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b "News: Death toll from South Ethiopia region landslide climbs to over 229, search and rescue efforts continue for missing". Addis Standard. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (25 July 2024). "Ethiopia: Flash Update #2 - Update on Landslide in Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia Region (As of 24 July 2024)". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Rukanga, Basillioh (24 July 2024). "Desperate search in Ethiopia for landslide survivors". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopia PM Visits Village Hit By Deadly Landslide". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopia declares 3 days of national mourning as mudslide death toll rises to 257". Associated Press. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.