In brief
In the wake of a tragic landslide in Sudan's western Darfur region, villagers are using their bare hands to unearth victims. Reports from aid organizations indicate potential casualties could be as high as 1,000, while official counts vary significantly. Aid groups face significant challenges in delivering assistance due to the ongoing civil war, which exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.
A devastating landslide struck the remote Tarseen area in Sudan's western Darfur region, prompting villagers to dig with their bare hands in a desperate attempt to rescue buried victims, according to the aid organization Save the Children.
Francesco Lanino, the organization's deputy director for Sudan, reported that due to a lack of tools or machinery, residents are excavating by hand to recover the bodies of their relatives.
Initial estimates on the potential death toll from this disaster are staggering, with some reports suggesting as many as 1,000 fatalities, including approximately 200 children. However, the discrepancy in figures raises further concerns, with the national health ministry reporting only two confirmed deaths. Save the Children has reported that at least 373 bodies have been recovered thus far.
Mr. Lanino described the scenes as one of destruction and devastation, stating that this landslide may represent one of the most tragic and large-scale disasters in the region's history. In the most severely affected village, there is reportedly only one known survivor.
The remoteness of the area has made it challenging for aid organizations to assess the full impact of the landslide. Through satellite imagery analysis, experts have identified nine buildings and structures that were completely washed away.
It took Save the Children workers over six hours to navigate nearly 14 miles of treacherous terrain just to reach the affected region, where they delivered humanitarian supplies to survivors using donkeys.
Exacerbating the crisis, Sudan is also engulfed in a civil war between the army and paramilitary groups; estimates suggest that over 150,000 have lost their lives since violence erupted in 2023, with millions fleeing their homes.
