102 Dead in Southern Ethiopia Landslide as Rescue Efforts Ramp Up

Emergency crews are continuing rescue efforts following a landslide that struck southern Ethiopia on Wednesday, leaving at least 102 people dead.

Officials say the disaster began overnight in Gamo Zone on March 11 after several days of heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide in the area’s highlands.

The Gamo Zone communications office said recovery teams have so far retrieved 52 bodies from thick mud and debris, although authorities believe the total number of victims has now reached 102.

Tilahun Kebede, chief administrator of the South Ethiopia Region, said rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency responders deployed to intensify humanitarian assistance.

He extended deep condolences to the affected families and residents and assured them of the government’s support during this difficult time.

“Search efforts and the delivery of assistance will continue with full force,” Kebede said, adding that the regional Disaster Risk Management Council has established several task forces to coordinate relief efforts and plan long-term rehabilitation for survivors.

Meanwhile, the chief administrator of Gamo Zone, Demis Admasu, said the landslide has created major logistical challenges for rescuers. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear roads buried by mud and debris, allowing emergency teams to reach remote hillside communities with food, medicine and shelter supplies.

Highland areas in southern Ethiopia are particularly vulnerable to landslides during the country’s rainy season, when prolonged rainfall weakens soil and destabilizes slopes.