Landslide kills 14 during prayer service at Ethiopian monastery

A landslide struck a mountain monastery in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region during an overnight prayer service, killing at least 14 people. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday as worshippers gathered at the Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St Mary Monastery for a holy water cleansing ritual, a tradition among Orthodox Christians seeking spiritual healing.

The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall that persisted throughout the night, causing a hillside above the monastery to collapse. Local officials have reported that seven additional people were injured, five of them seriously. Rescue efforts to locate others who may still be trapped in the debris have now been called off, as safety concerns mount for emergency teams working at the site.

Among the deceased, 11 victims have been buried at the monastery, while the bodies of the remaining individuals have been returned to their hometowns for burial. Identifying some of the victims has proven difficult, according to Megabe Hadis Neka Tibeb Ababu, the general manager of the diocese. Archbishop Abune Klementos, the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's North Shewa Diocese, visited the site to lead funeral prayers and offer comfort to grieving families.

Landslides are common in Ethiopia, particularly during the main rainy season from June to August. The country has experienced several deadly weather-related disasters in recent years, including a landslide in July 2024 that claimed over 229 lives. Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in East Africa, leading to more significant risks for communities in vulnerable areas.