Deadly landslide hits Ethiopia mountain monastery during prayer service
It sent rocks and earth crashing on to those praying at an overnight service, the authorities say.
A landslide struck a mountain monastery in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region during a prayer service, resulting in 14 deaths. Rescue operations for those trapped in the debris have been suspended. The monastery features a carved prayer chamber that hosted the worshippers. The landslip occurred after heavy rain persisted throughout the night.
Dagnachew Azbite, a local official, informed the BBC of seven injured persons, five of them seriously. The monastery's prayer service involved a ritual for the cleansing of holy water, sought by Orthodox Christians for healing. Eleven of the deceased were buried at the site, while the remaining bodies were returned to their hometowns.
Identifying the victims continues to pose a challenge. Archbishop Abune Klementos, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's North Shewa Diocese, attended funeral prayers for the deceased and offered solace to grieving families. Landslides are a recurrent threat in Ethiopia during its rainy season, which typically spans from June to August.
Previous weather disasters include a flood and landslide tragedy in March that killed over 100 people, and a landslide in the Geze Gofa Zone in July 2024 that claimed more than 229 lives, including rescuers. Climate studies have highlighted a rise in extreme wet spells and prolonged dry periods in East Africa, attributing this to human-induced climate change.
Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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