Landslide in Central Sudan Claims Lives

A devastating landslide in Central Sudan on Sunday resulted in an estimated 1,000 fatalities, with only one person reported to have survived. This tragedy occurred in a village located in the Maratha Mountains of central Darfur during heavy rainfall.

The Sudan Liberation Movement/Military, the rebel group overseeing the area, stated that initial reports confirm that most villagers, believed to exceed 1,000, perished in the disaster.

The group’s leader, Abdel Wahid Nu, has called on the United Nations and international aid organizations for assistance in recovering bodies. He remarked that the extent of this disaster is beyond measure.

Meanwhile, Luka Renda, Sudan’s UN humanitarian coordinator, expressed his deep sorrow regarding the event, indicating that local estimates suggest that “three to 1,000 people may have lost their lives.”

Landslides rank among the most severe natural disasters Sudan has faced, with seasonal rains causing numerous deaths annually from July through October. In the previous year, heavy rains triggered a dam collapse in Eastern Red Sea, which resulted in at least 30 fatalities, according to the United Nations.

Additionally, Sudan continues to grapple with a civil war, which has persisted since 2023 between the military and paramilitary rapid support forces (RSFs). This ongoing conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, displaced more than 14 million individuals, and created the largest humanitarian crisis globally, with over 30 million people in need of assistance. Unfortunately, experts note that more than 630,000 individuals in the hunger-stricken regions of Darfur and Kordofan are currently facing food insecurity.

In light of this tragedy, community support and humanitarian efforts are urgently needed as the region continues to face immense challenges.