BTN News: Over 55 people have died because of landslides in a remote area of Ethiopia. Heavy rains caused these landslides. This tragic event happened in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district in the south of the country. Dagmawi Ayele, a local official, said that among the dead were young children and pregnant women. This highlights the deep sadness of this tragedy.
Most of the victims were buried early Monday morning. A huge landslide covered them. This disaster followed another landslide the day before. Rescue efforts have been difficult due to the rough terrain. However, rescuers managed to save five people from the mud. This brings some hope during this sad time.
Dagmawi Ayele described a heartbreaking scene. He saw children holding on to the dead bodies of their loved ones. Many lost their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters in the landslides. As rescue work goes on, officials fear the number of deaths might increase.
Landslides happen often during Ethiopia’s rainy season. This season starts in July and ends in mid-September. This year, the rains have been very heavy. They have caused many landslides in the region. These disasters have made life even harder for people in rural areas. Often, these areas do not have strong buildings to withstand such events.
The Ethiopian government and aid groups are now helping those affected. They are providing shelter, medical care, and food to survivors. Many people have lost their homes. The full extent of the disaster is still not clear. The main focus is to find and help any remaining survivors. They also want to prevent more deaths.
Local communities are also helping in the rescue and aid efforts. Volunteers from nearby areas are working with official rescue teams. They show great strength and unity during this tough time. Their help is crucial, especially in remote and rough areas where it is hard to reach.
Because such disasters keep happening, there are calls for better preparation. Stronger buildings and better planning can help reduce the impact of future landslides. Experts suggest early warning systems and better land management. Educating communities can also help them be more prepared.
As Ethiopia deals with this hard time, the focus is on helping the affected communities. The country needs to rebuild after the tragedy. The strength of the Ethiopian people, along with help from the government and international partners, will be key. Together, they can overcome this disaster and work to prevent such events in the future.
