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Death toll from Ethiopia landslides could leap to 500, UN states

The death toll from landslides in Ethiopia earlier this week has increased to 257 and is expected to practically double, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said on Thursday.

Heavy rains activated a landslide burying people in the Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia on Sunday night and a second one on Monday engulfed those engaged in rescue efforts.

The death toll is expected to rise to up to 500 people as per information received from local authorities, UNOCHA said in a report.

On Tuesday, Ethiopia's National Disaster Threat Management Commission had put the death toll at 229.

Dagmawi Ayele, an administrator for the Gofa Zone stated rescuers had so far recuperated 226 bodies, which had been buried after a funeral event, and were searching for 20 more.

It is too hazardous to approach to the site, he stated, adding that the rains were advancing Thursday.

(source: Reuters)