Ethiopia landslides kill over 200 people

Authorities on Tuesday expected the death toll to rise after two landslides struck the Gofa Zone and surrounding areas in the southern Ethiopia region on Monday. The first landslide struck early Monday morning and buried about 50 people. The second hit Monday afternoon, burying rescue workers who were trying to reach survivors of the first wave.

The twin landslides killed at least 229 people, according to a translation of a statement from local Gofa Zone authorities. Rescue workers pulled at least five survivors from the mud, the department added. Authorities believe heavy rains caused the landslides. Ethiopia’s primary rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-September.

What’s the aid and response like? Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali deployed the country’s disaster task force to the Gofa Zone and the nearby municipalities of Geze Gofa and Kencho Shacha Gozdi. Teams from the World Health Organization will also support local aid and recovery efforts, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote Tuesday. Both the Ethiopian Red Cross Association and the Southern Ethiopian Red Cross Society are also on site aiding in recovery.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Ethiopia’s National bank losing over $40 million from a technical glitch.