Ethiopian landslide’s toll could jump to 500, UN says

While the death toll from landslides in Ethiopia on Tuesday was below 200, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said the toll could rise to 500.

Heavy rains triggered a landslide burying people in the Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia on Sunday night and a second one on Monday engulfed those engaged in rescue efforts.

“The death toll is expected to rise to up to 500 people as per information received from local authorities,” UNOCHA said in a report.

On Tuesday, Ethiopia’s National Disaster Risk Management Commission had put the death toll at 229.

Dagmawi Ayele, an administrator for the Gofa Zone said rescuers had so far recovered 226 bodies, which had been buried after a funeral ceremony, and were searching for 20 more.

“It is too dangerous to approach to the site,” he said, adding that the rains were continuing on Thursday.

Source : Reuters