2024 Gofa landslides
| Date | 22 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 10:00 EAT (UTC+03:00) |
| Location | Kencho-Shacha locality, Geze Gofa, Gofa Zuria, Ethiopia[1] |
| Cause | Heavy rains[2] |
| Deaths | 229+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 10+ |
On 22 July 2024, two landslides buried two villages in Geze Gofa, Gofa Zuria, Ethiopia, killing at least 229 people.[1] The second landslide buried those who had arrived to help in the wake of the first. The disaster resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least 229 people, making it Ethiopia's deadliest landslide.
Background
[edit]Gofa is situated in the South Ethiopia regional state, approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the capital Addis Ababa, a journey that takes around 10 hours by car. According to statements from locals, the area where the landslides occurred was rural, remote, and mountainous. The soil in the region is known to be unstable, and landslides and heavy rains lead to deadly incidents every year.[1] In 2016, heavy rains in Wolaita, also in South Ethiopia, led to landslides which killed 41 people.[citation needed]
Incident
[edit]Following heavy rains in Geze Gofa, the first landslide occurred at about 10:00 EAT (07:00 GMT) on 22 July 2024.[2] The next morning, as people arrived at the scene to rescue survivors, a second landslide occurred, leading to additional deaths amongst the rescuers[3] Between the landslides, two nearby villages were buried.[4]
At least 229 deaths were attributed to the landslide, including 148 men and 81 women, making it Ethiopia's deadliest landslide.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]Ethiopian state-affiliated media outlet Fana Broadcasting Corporate shared images on Facebook of rescuers digging through the disaster area with shovels and their bare hands.[2] On Tuesday, Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response agency in Gofa Zone, told Reuters that first responders were still recovering bodies.[4] By that same day, at least 10 people had been rescued from the rubble.[5] First responders reported that families were identifying and claiming victims' bodies, while unclaimed remains were buried on-site. A volunteer told Addis Standard that recovered bodies are collected in a tent for a later burial ceremony. The initial lack of machinery amongst responders reportedly hindered search efforts.[6]
Response
[edit]On social media, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed sorrow and stated that emergency services had been deployed.[6]
African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat conveyed his support on social media, stating that efforts to find the missing and assist the displaced were ongoing.[1]
World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his condolences to the affected families and noted that a WHO team had been dispatched to support immediate health needs.[4]
Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, urged vigilance and adherence to safety protocols amid the ongoing impacts of climate change to prevent further tragedies.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Death toll from Ethiopia landslides rises to 229". Al Arabiya. Agence France-Presse. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Death toll from Ethiopia landslide rises to 146: local official". Macau Business Daily. Agence France-Presse. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Landslide in Southern Ethiopia Claims 55 Lives, Many Still Missing". Khyber News. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Death toll from Ethiopian landslides jumps to 229, official says". Reuters. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopia landslide rescuers pull 157 bodies from mud". BBC News. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b "News: Death toll from South Ethiopia region landslide climbs to over 229, search and rescue efforts continue for missing". Addis Standard. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.