Deadly Landslide Hits Northern Ethiopia: 10 Dead, Dozens Hurt
A brutal landslide has slammed Ethiopia’s Amhara region, killing at least 10 people and injuring many more. The disaster struck the North Gondar zone, adding to a growing list of natural calamities devastating the country.
Rescue Efforts Underway Amid Widespread Devastation
Local authorities confirmed the death toll after recovering four bodies from deep mud. Tesfaye Workneh, a local official, told the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC) that rescuers are still working to find others trapped under the rubble. Around eight people are seriously injured and receiving treatment nearby.
Thousands of residents — approximately 2,400 — have been forced from their homes and are sheltering in community facilities. The landslide has caused extensive damage to houses and local infrastructure.
Grim Scenes Captured on Social Media
The AMC shared harrowing images on Facebook showing residents hauling at least one victim’s body from the mudslide. The posts have sparked widespread shock and sorrow nationwide as people follow the unfolding tragedy.
Spate of Landslides Spurs Climate and Safety Concerns
This latest catastrophe comes amid a worrying spike in landslides across Ethiopia, fueled by relentless heavy rains. The United Nations recently warned that flooding and mudslides are becoming more frequent as climate change hits the region hard.
Recent deadly landslides:
- July 2024: A massive landslide in Kencho Shacha Gozdi killed 229 and left thousands homeless.
- One week later: Six fatalities in Gishere district, Sidama region.
- This month: Eleven people died in a landslide in Kawo Koisha, Wolaita zone.
Calls for Urgent Action Grow Louder
With rescue teams stretched thin from back-to-back disasters, Ethiopia faces a massive challenge. The government and international aid groups must ramp up disaster preparedness, improve infrastructure, and establish early warning systems to save lives.
For now, the priority is caring for those displaced and preventing more deaths as the region braces for further storms and landslides. Ethiopia’s deadly landslides are a stark warning—without swift action, more tragedy looms.
