A catastrophic landslide has thrown Ethiopia into mourning, with the death toll climbing to 257 victims. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has issued an urgent warning that this sad figure is merely a precursor to a far greater tragedy, with estimates placing the final count as high as 500 lives lost.
The devastating incident unfolded in the Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia, where torrential rains unleashed a devilish wall of mud and debris. The initial landslide, a horrific event in itself, claimed countless lives on Sunday night. But the nightmare was far from over. As rescuers desperately searched for survivors amidst the incident, a second landslide struck, burying many of those involved in the heroic efforts.
UNOCHA, the UN’s leading humanitarian agency, has reported that local authorities have painted a bad picture of the devastation. The agency warns that the full extent of the disaster is yet to be uncovered, with fears of widespread loss of life casting a dark shadow over the nation.
This unfolding catastrophe has sent fear through the global community, with concerns mounting over the welfare of those affected.
