Addis Ababa, Jul 22 (IANS): At least 20 people were killed by a landslide in southern Ethiopia, local media reported on Monday.
The deadly landslide occurred on Monday morning at around 10:00 am local time in the Geze Gofa district in southern Ethiopia, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported.
Misikir Mitiku, chief administrator of the Geze Gofa district, said rescuers have so far recovered more than 20 bodies that were buried under the mud, Xinhua news agency reported.
He said the death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations are currently underway at the landslide area.
Ethiopia is in the midst of a rainy season which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September. Constant rains occasionally cause landslides in some parts of the East African country.