Mudslides in a remote part of Ethiopia that has been hit with heavy rainfall, have killed at least 140, according to local agencies.
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| Mudslides happen in Ethiopia during rainy seasons. Photo: @AP |
Among the victims in the mudslides in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia, include young children and pregnant women, said Dagmawi Ayele, a local administrator.
The death toll rose from 55 late Monday to above 140 on Tuesday as search operations continue in the area, head of the Gofa Zone communications office, Kassahun Abayneh said.
Gofa Zone is the administrative area where the mudslides happened.
Landslides are rampant during the rainy season in Ethiopia, which started in July and will stay until September.
As disclosed by Ayele, at least five people have been pulled out from the mud alive.
He said: “There are children who are hugging corpses, having lost their entire family, including mother, father, brother and sister, due to the accident.”
