Death toll from Ethiopia landslides may rise to 500

The death toll from landslides in Ethiopia earlier this week has risen to 257 and is expected to almost double, Reuters writes, referring to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Heavy rains triggered a landslide burying people in the Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia on the night of July 21, 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.

“It is too dangerous to approach the site,” a local official said, adding that the rains were continuing on Thursday.