TBM Report
A devastating landslide triggered by a week of torrential rainfall has claimed at least 50 lives in Southern Ethiopia, with more than 125 people reported missing. Local officials confirmed on Thursday (March 12, 2026) that the disaster struck the mountainous Gamo Zone, burying entire neighborhoods under layers of mud and debris. The hardest-hit areas include the districts of Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke, where the sheer volume of the mudslide has complicated initial response efforts.
According to Mesfin Manuqa, the Disaster Response Director for the Gamo Zone, the unstable mountain slopes collapsed following the relentless downpours, trapping residents inside their homes. While search and rescue teams have managed to pull one survivor from the wreckage, the likelihood of finding more individuals alive remains slim. “Most victims were found submerged deep within the mud,” stated Abebe Agena, the communications chief for Gacho Baba district, as he described the grim scene on the ground.
The humanitarian crisis continues to unfold as hundreds of displaced families wait for news of their loved ones. Local administrative units, supported by volunteers, are conducting round-the-clock search operations, though their efforts are severely hindered by ongoing rainfall and the region’s rugged geography. International aid agencies are closely monitoring the situation as the risk of secondary landslides remains high due to saturated soil conditions.
This tragedy underscores the increasing vulnerability of Ethiopia’s highland communities to extreme weather patterns. As authorities work to finalize the toll of the damage, the immediate priority remains the recovery of the missing and providing emergency shelter for the survivors. The international community, led by the African Union and UN agencies, is expected to provide logistical support to navigate this unfolding environmental catastrophe.
 that the disaster struck the mountainous Gamo Zone, burying entire neighborhoods under layers of mud and debris. The hardest-hit areas include the districts of Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke, where the sheer volume of the mudslide has complicated initial response efforts.){kind=link}