At least 64 killed, dozens missing in Ethiopia floods

ADDIS ABABA — At least 64 people have been killed and dozens of others have been reported missing after landslides and flooding hit southern Ethiopia, police said on Thursday. “The number of people missing due to the recent flood in Gamo zone has reached 128, and according to the latest information, 64 bodies have been found,” said the South Ethiopia Regional State Police Commission in a statement on Facebook. The Gacho Baba district communication chief, Abebe Agena, said most of those who died were found buried in mud. It is not yet clear how many households were affected. Gamo Zone director of disaster response Mesfin Manuqa said that one person was pulled out of mud alive during rescue operations. Tilahun Kebede, president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, expressed his sorrow over the disaster and urged residents to move to higher ground as rains continue. “Given that it is the rainy season and these types of disasters could happen again, I am calling on communities living in the highlands and flood-prone areas to take the necessary precautions,” he said. Flooding caused by heavy rains has led to the deaths, with most of East Africa seeing heavy flooding in recent days. Dozens were killed in neighbouring Kenya after torrential rain hit the capital, Nairobi, and other areas on Friday. Mudslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall are common in Ethiopia, especially during the rainy season. — Agencies