At least 1000 people killed in a landslide in Darfur, Sudan

SadaNews - More than a thousand people have lost their lives in a massive landslide that engulfed an entire village in the Darfur region of western Sudan, described as one of the worst natural disasters in modern Sudanese history, according to a statement made today, Tuesday, by the Sudan Liberation Army movement that controls the area.

The movement stated in a statement that large and destructive landslides led to the complete destruction of the Tarsin village east of Jebel Marra, near the Soni area, resulting in the death of all its inhabitants, estimated to number over a thousand men, women, and children, with only one survivor, according to initial reports.

The statement clarified that the disaster occurred on Sunday "due to the heavy rains that fell in the last week of August."

The movement pointed out in its statement that the village was "totally leveled" as a result of this landslide, appealing to the United Nations and regional and international organizations for assistance in retrieving the bodies of the dead from beneath the soil.

Appeal for Assistance

In turn, the governor of the Darfur region, Mini Arko Minawi, emphasized that what happened in Tarsin village is a "humanitarian tragedy" that exceeds the borders of the region.

Minawi confirmed on his Facebook account that a large number of citizens were lost in a natural disaster he described as devastating, and urged international humanitarian organizations to act urgently to provide support and assistance, stating that "the tragedy is beyond the capacity of the people in the area."

For his part, the head of the Sudanese Forces Gathering, Al-Tahir Hejor, indicated that the incident in Tarsin village in Jebel Marra due to the landslide claimed the lives of a number of innocent citizens and caused severe damage to property, without specifying the number of casualties.

He noted on his Facebook account that what he described as a catastrophe places everyone before a humanitarian and moral duty that requires concerted official and public efforts to provide urgent support to those affected.

Environmental Disasters

Press sources reported that the area hit by the landslide in the mountain consists of a very slippery soil layer, indicating that it often faces similar events but they tend to be less destructive.

They confirmed that the harsh conditions experienced by the residents of the area, along with the rough roads and difficult security conditions due to ongoing battles, make it challenging for rescue teams or humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas.

It was noted that the collapsed area is considered remote and was known for its abundant production of citrus fruits, ranking among the prominent agricultural areas in Jebel Marra.

This incident is part of a growing series of natural disasters that Sudan has witnessed since the beginning of the year, as floods and torrents have caused human and material losses in several states, amid an inability to respond effectively due to the ongoing conflict since April 2023.

The war has divided Sudan into spheres of influence between the warring parties. While the army controls most areas of the north, east, and west and managed this year to regain control of Khartoum, the Rapid Support Forces control almost all of Darfur and parts of the south.

The Jebel Marra mountains are a rugged volcanic range extending 160 kilometers southwest of the city of Al-Fasher, and the area has become a refuge for displaced families fleeing the fighting in Al-Fasher and its surroundings.

Since May 2024, the Rapid Support Forces have besieged Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which remains the last major city in the region under the control of the army, housing about 300,000 residents.

It is worth mentioning that famine has been declared in several areas of the five-state region of Darfur.