Landslides Kill at Least 80 in Southern Ethiopia

At least 80 people have died and dozens more remain missing after landslides triggered by heavy rains struck southern Ethiopia's Gamo Zone this week, prompting the government to declare three days of national mourning starting Saturday.

The disaster unfolded on Tuesday across several districts, including Gacho Baba, Kamba, Bonke and Degame, where relentless downpours loosened soil on hillsides and buried homes and residents under mud and debris. Officials reported that search and recovery operations, now in their fourth day, have been slowed by ongoing rainfall that has turned the affected areas into treacherous quagmires. Gamo Zone disaster response director Mesfin Manuqa stated that rescue teams have pulled one survivor from the mud, but most of the recovered bodies were found buried deep in the debris. Local authorities in Gacho Baba District, one of the hardest-hit areas, confirmed that the majority of fatalities occurred there.

The death toll has climbed steadily since initial reports on Thursday placed it at 50, with some local accounts suggesting it could exceed 100, though officials have not confirmed higher figures. In addition to the deaths, at least 125 people are...