Death Toll from Landslides in Ethiopia Could Reach 500

At the beginning of the week, the death toll from landslides in Ethiopia reached 257 and could potentially double, reports Reuters, citing the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Heavy rains on the night of July 21 triggered landslides, burying people in the Gofa region of southern Ethiopia, and the following day, those involved in rescue operations were also affected.

“According to information from local authorities, the death toll is likely to reach 500,” the UNOCHA report states. “Access to the site is extremely dangerous,” said one local official, adding that the rains are still ongoing.