At least 157 people have died as a result of two landslides in southern Ethiopia.
Government officials who gave the update Tuesday, warned that the number could rise.
In the gruesome development, the first landslide which was triggered by heavy rains in the region of Gofa zone, happened on Monday, followed minutes later by a second one which buried people who had gathered to help with rescue operations.
The death toll rose from 55 late Monday to 157 on Tuesday as search operations continued in the area, Kassahun Abayneh, head of the Gofa Zone communications office, disclosed.
The official added that the search was on and there certainly were bodies that were yet to be recovered.
According to district administrator Misikir Mitiku, initially, three families were buried by the landslide, but the death toll surged after people who came for rescue also got trapped.
Despite the ultimate price that many have already paid, images have shown people digging into the red earth with their bare hands to possibly rescue some people or recover bodies.
At least five people have been pulled alive from the mud since the incidents occurred, a source said.
Ironically, these recent rains and landslides occurred even as other parts of Ethiopia are experiencing severe drought.
