Published Time: 09-05-2025, 14:30

Sudanese authorities have confirmed the burial of hundreds of victims following a devastating landslide in the Marrah Mountains of Darfur. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall, has deepened the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, already worsened by war and displacement.

Hundreds of Bodies Recovered, Many Still Trapped

Mujib al-Rahman al-Zubair, head of the Civil Authority in the Liberated Territories, said in a video address shared with the Associated Press that rescue teams and local aid workers had recovered 375 bodies, which were laid to rest in mass burials.

However, he acknowledged that more victims remain trapped under the rubble. “May the victims of this devastating incident receive mercy,” he said as families and volunteers gathered at the site to pray for the dead.

Despite limited resources, al-Zubair pledged that rescue missions would continue, though the lack of heavy equipment has slowed operations.

Death Toll Could Reach 1,000

The landslide struck on August 31 in the village of Tarasin, located in the rugged Marrah Mountains of Darfur. According to Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nair, a spokesperson for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, as many as 1,000 people may have died in the disaster.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) offered a similar estimate, while noting that the true scale of the tragedy remains difficult to confirm due to the region’s isolation and damaged infrastructure.

U.N. and Aid Agencies Mobilize

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that relief efforts are underway, with humanitarian teams launching a rapid assessment mission on Thursday. Due to treacherous terrain, aid workers had to travel part of the journey by donkey to reach affected villages.

According to OCHA, at least 150 people from Tarasin and nearby areas have been displaced. Emergency assistance is being provided for up to 750 residents, including medical kits, food supplies, and mobile health clinics.

International and local NGOs are working alongside U.N. agencies to stabilize the situation, but humanitarian officials have warned that the area urgently requires greater international support.

A Region Prone to Landslides

The Marrah Mountains, which rise more than 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level, are known for their unique climate and higher rainfall compared to surrounding arid regions. This combination makes the area vulnerable to landslides.

In 2018, a smaller landslide in the region killed at least 19 people and injured dozens, according to the former U.N.-African Union mission in Darfur.

The current disaster, however, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent memory. Al-Nair warned in a statement that the landslide has caused a “catastrophic humanitarian situation” requiring urgent global intervention to prevent further loss of life.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Sudan

Sudan is already facing one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises due to an ongoing civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced as many as 12 million, according to humanitarian agencies. Millions are struggling with food insecurity, while outbreaks of diseases such as cholera have been reported in multiple regions.

The landslide in Darfur adds yet another layer of tragedy to a nation already devastated by war, famine, and displacement. Aid groups have warned that unless significant assistance reaches the affected communities soon, survivors may face hunger, disease, and prolonged instability.

Calls for Global Support

Humanitarian officials and local leaders are urging the international community to act swiftly. The combination of conflict, natural disasters, and food shortages has stretched Sudan’s already fragile aid system beyond capacity.

As al-Zubair emphasized during his address, the rescue effort continues despite limited resources. “Our people are determined to recover their loved ones, but we cannot do this alone,” he said.

For now, the priority remains recovering the missing, supporting survivors, and ensuring displaced families have access to shelter, food, and medical care.

Conclusion

The Darfur landslide highlights the intersection of natural disaster and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. While authorities and aid organizations race against time, the true death toll may never be fully known. What remains clear is that survivors face a long road to recovery amid ongoing conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions.

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