AU extends condolences over deadly landslide in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, July 23 (Xinhua) — Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Tuesday extended condolences over the deadly landslide incident in southern Ethiopia.
According to local authorities, the deadly landslide that occurred on Monday morning at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) in southern Ethiopia’s Geze Gofa District has so far claimed the lives of at least 229 people amid ongoing rescue operations.
“We stand in strong solidarity with the people and government of Ethiopia as rescue efforts continue to find the missing and assist the displaced,” Faki said on X, formerly Twitter.
The death toll, which was initially reported to be 20 shortly after the incident, has significantly mounted due to additional accidents on the people who went to the area for life-saving work. Teachers, health professionals, and agriculture professionals who were present early in the accident for life-saving work have become victims of the accident, the local government said.
The Ethiopian Red Cross Association and professionals from neighboring regions and zones are currently at the site, helping the victims as part of ongoing rescue operations.
The local government has also called on all Ethiopians to extend support and attention that is needed to the zone for further rescue efforts to find the missing while also assisting the displaced people. ■