CNN —The death toll from devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia has climbed to more than 250 and could rise as high as 500, the UN warned, citing local authorities.
The landslides hit thousands of people in Gofa Zone on Sunday and Monday and are the deadliest ever reported in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country.
“These people are at high risk of further landslides and need to be evacuated to safe zones immediately.
Amongst these are at least 1,320 children under 5 years of age and 5,293 pregnant and lactating women,” the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA said.
At least 43 people died from floods and landslides last year, OCHA said in November.
Persons:
Africa’s, OCHA
Organizations:
CNN, UN, UN Office, Humanitarian Affairs
Locations:
Ethiopia, Gofa Zone, Kencho