By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini conveyed heartfelt condolences to the people of Ethiopia after a catastrophic mudslide claimed the lives of over 200 individuals in Gofa, a region within the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The natural disaster, triggered by relentless heavy rainfall, has left a deep scar on the affected community and the nation as a whole.
Prime Minister stated, “We have learnt with sadness of the tragic death of over 200 people caused by mudslides, a natural hazard that occurred in Gofa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, following heavy rainfall.”
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On behalf of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Prime Minister Dlamini extended condolences from His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government, and the People of Eswatini.
“In this moment of grief, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to H.E President Sahle-Work Zewde, the Government and the People of Ethiopia, as well as the families of the deceased,” Prime Minister Dlamini continued.
“We stand in solidarity with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia during this sad period and wish rescue teams success as they continue in their quest to rescue survivors.”
Media reports assert that more than 200 people have been killed in two landslides in southern Ethiopia, authorities said.
The first landslide, triggered by heavy rains in a remote region of Gofa zone, occurred on Monday and was followed by a second one that buried people who had gathered to help, state officials said on Tuesday.
The reports says that at least 148 men and 81 women were killed after the disaster struck in the Kencho-Shacha locality in the Gofa Zone on Monday, the local Communications Affairs Department said in a statement.
Alemayehu Bawdi, Southern Regional State representative, confirmed the death toll and said “search and rescue efforts are ongoing”.
Five people were pulled alive from the mud and were receiving treatment at medical facilities, the government-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported earlier.
It cited local administrator Dagemawi Ayele as saying that most of those killed were buried after they went to help the inhabitants of a house hit by an initial landslide.
“Those who rushed for live-saving work have perished in the disaster including the locality’s administrator, teachers, health professionals and agricultural professionals,” EBC quoted Dagemawi as saying.
Gofa is part of the state known as the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), located about 320km (199 miles) southwest of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Kemal Hashi Mohamoud, a parliamentarian, told Al Jazeera from Addis Ababa that the second landslide happened “a few minutes” after the first. “People are preparing shelter and giving them food,” he said.