Landslide in Ethiopia Kills 46 People

A landslide in massive garbage dump in Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa, has cost the lives of at least 46 people, as the landslide destroyed squatter homes that were situated right next to the garbage dump.

The garbage dump, at 30 hectares, is the largest in the country. It is estimated that around 300 people live on or around the dump.

Dozens of homes were destroyed when a huge pile of rubbish broke down and flattened all that lay beneath it.

Many of the squatters believe that the landslide was caused by the construction of a biogas plant nearby.

Of the 46 people that have been confirmed dead, it is believed that 32 were female and 14 male. These numbers include children.

One citizen who has been living in the dump for a number of years, said that he managed to get his family out just before their shack was destroyed.

“[We heard] a big sound…When we came out, something like a tornado is rushing to us. We started to collect family members…People helped. My child and family left before the destruction happened [sic],” he said.

When police arrived there were still people trapped under the mounds of rubbish.

According to a witness, police did not want any of the locals to get close to the site to help those trapped. In fact, the witness said that there were only about six people digging through all the rubbish, looking for survivors.

It is believed that the death toll of the landslide may still rise as police recover more bodies but, hopefully, also more survivors.