{
  "id": 105065,
  "title": "Ethiopia landslide kills 14 at monastery ritual, search continues for missing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/ethiopia-landslide-kills-14-at-monastery-ritual-search-continues-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T22:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-amhara-landslide-e4949a0ebbd59fc2a5c902baef25be91"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Ethiopia's Amhara region resulted in 14 fatalities and seven injuries on Monday, with an unknown number of people still missing as rescue efforts persist. The landslide occurred at the Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery, where hundreds of worshippers had congregated for a holy water cleansing ritual aimed at healing chronic ailments. According to Megabe Hadis Neka Tibeb Ababu, the diocese's general manager, the tragedy unfolded around 7 a.m. as many of the deceased had gathered to receive the holy water. Eleven bodies have been interred at the monastery, while the remains of others were transported to their respective hometowns. The identification of some victims remains challenging.\n\nAmong the injured, those with serious injuries were transported to Debre Birhan, the capital of North Shewa Administrative Zone, situated approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) away from the monastery. The landslide transpired near a mountain, where substantial rocks dislodged and plummeted onto the gathering worshippers, exacerbating the calamity. A team of experts from the local disaster prevention office has been dispatched to aid in the ongoing search and rescue operations, as per a statement from the local administration's communications office.\n\nMudslides and flooding have become increasingly prevalent in Ethiopia, especially during the rainy season, known locally as Kiremt, which spans from June to September. In July 2024, a devastating mudslide claimed the lives of at least 257 individuals in southern Ethiopia.",
  "summary": "ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A landslide Monday triggered by heavy rainfall in Ethiopia’s Amhara region killed 14 people and injured seven others, while an unknown number of people remain unaccounted for as search and rescue efforts continue. The landslide occurred at Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery, where hundreds of worshippers had gathered for a holy water…",
  "key_points": [
    "Landslide kills 14 and injures 7 at Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery.",
    "Ritual attendees gathering for holy water cleansing trapped by rocks.",
    "Search and rescue efforts ongoing as mudslides and flooding common in Ethiopia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/105065.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Deadly landslide hits Ethiopia mountain monastery during prayer service",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/deadly-landslide-hits-ethiopia-mountain-monastery-during-prayer",
        "published": "2026-08-04T10:04:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}