Death toll in Ethiopia mudslides rises to 229 as search operations continue

Rescue efforts are ongoing and at least five people have been pulled from the mud alive, according to officials

Published Jul 23

Last updated Jul 23

At least 229 people were killed in mudslides in a remote part of Ethiopia that has been hit with heavy rainfall, according to a local official.

Young children and pregnant women were among the victims of the mudslides in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia, said Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator.

a woman cries as hundreds of people gather at the site of a mudslide — Children and pregnant women are among the victims (Isayas Churga/Gofa Zone Government Communication Affairs Department via AP)

Most of the victims were buried in a mudslide on Monday as rescue workers searched the steep terrain for survivors of another mudslide the previous day.

a man searches for survivors — Rescue efforts are ongoing and at least five people have been pulled from the mud alive, according to officials (Isayas Churga/Gofa Zone Government Communication Affairs Department via AP)

“There are children who have lost their entire family,” he said.

Landslides are common during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September.