South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended condolences to Ethiopia following landslides that devastated the southwest of the East African country earlier this week.
The landslides, triggered by heavy rains, buried hundreds of people in the Gofa Zone on Sunday night and a second one on Monday engulfed those engaged in rescue efforts.
The death toll from the landslides had by late Thursday risen to 257 and was expected to almost double, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In his message, Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the Ethiopian people, particularly the bereaved families.
Local authorities, supported by the Ethiopian Red Cross, are leading search and rescue efforts.
JN/APA