Death toll rises to 257 in Ethiopia landslide, could reach 500: UN-Xinhua

Death toll rises to 257 in Ethiopia landslide, could reach 500: UN

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2024-07-25 18:07:30

A policeman mourns for his bereaved family member who died in a landslide incident in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 28, 2024. The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Monday's landslide in southern Ethiopia has risen to 257, and could reach up to 500, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said Thursday.

More than 15,000 affected people need to be evacuated, and the government is finalizing an evacuation plan, UNOCHA said in a situation report.

The landslide in Geze Gofa District occurred Monday morning in the midst of a rainy season, which is expected to last until mid-September.

Some of the victims died in subsequent secondary landslides. Many remain unaccounted for.

Seasonal rains occasionally cause deadly landslides in some parts of the East African country.

A policeman consoles a woman who lost her beloved one in a landslide incident in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 28, 2024.

The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

People mourn for the landslide victims in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 28, 2024.

The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Locals transfer the remains of a victim found at a landslide site in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 29, 2024.

The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Locals transfer the remains of a victim found at a landslide site in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 29, 2024.

The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

People mourn for a victim found at a landslide site in Ethiopia's southern district of Geze Gofa on July 29, 2024.

The death toll from recent landslides in Ethiopia has risen to 257 and could reach up to 500. More than 15,500 people were affected by the landslides, including at least 1,320 children under the age of five and 5,293 pregnant and nursing mothers, according to the latest situation update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)