At least 229 people have been killed in two devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia, authorities have confirmed. The first landslide was sparked by heavy rains which caused a massive wall of mud and rocks to come crashing down on the village of Hama in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region.
Rescue efforts have been hindered by the difficult terrain and the remote location of the affected areas. Emergency workers have been struggling to reach those trapped under the debris and recover the bodies of the victims. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are found and the full extent of the disaster becomes clear.
Ethiopia is prone to landslides and other natural disasters due to its mountainous terrain and seasonal rainfall. However, the scale of this tragedy has shocked the country and drawn attention to the need for better disaster preparedness and response measures.
The government has declared three days of national mourning in honor of the victims of the landslides. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the disaster and has pledged to provide assistance to those affected by the landslides.
As Ethiopia mourns the loss of so many lives, questions are being raised about the country’s ability to cope with the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters. The landslides in southern Ethiopia serve as a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective response measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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Video “At least 229 people killed in Ethiopia landslides” was uploaded on 07/23/2024 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English