Search teams have recovered approximately 100 bodies from a remote village in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, following a catastrophic landslide over the weekend. The incident, which occurred in Tarasin within the Marrah Mountains, is feared to have claimed as many as 1,000 lives, according to Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nair, a spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army. Efforts to retrieve victims continued on Tuesday, despite significant challenges due to limited resources and equipment.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has indicated that the full extent of the tragedy remains unclear. The area affected by the landslide is described as “extremely hard to reach,” complicating search and recovery efforts. While the U.N. estimates that “between 300-1,000 people may have lost their lives,” these figures have yet to be confirmed.
Humanitarian Response and Challenges
Pope Leo XIV addressed the tragedy during his weekly audience, expressing deep concern for the victims and their families. He stated that the landslide has left “behind pain and despair,” and he called for “a coordinated response to stop this humanitarian catastrophe.” The Pope also urged for a “serious, sincere, and inclusive dialogue” among conflicting parties to restore hope and peace in Sudan.
Arjimand Hussain, Regional Response Manager with Plan International, noted that the organization, along with U.N. teams, plans to deploy assistance to Tarasin in the coming days. However, he highlighted the difficulties posed by heavy rains, which have rendered many roads impassable. “The whole humanitarian community is feeling helpless at the moment,” he said.
The Marrah Mountains, where the landslide occurred, is known for its volcanic terrain and stands at over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) at its highest point. This region is recognized as a world heritage site, characterized by cooler temperatures and increased rainfall compared to surrounding areas, according to UNICEF.
Context of Ongoing Crisis
The landslide is the latest disaster to strike Sudan, which is grappling with a devastating civil war that has been ongoing since April 2023. The conflict erupted due to escalating tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. This violence has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing over 14 million people and pushing parts of the country into famine.
Sudan has also faced severe public health challenges, including famine and cholera outbreaks that have claimed hundreds of lives this year. The situation has drawn international attention, with multiple reports of atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, prompting investigations by the International Criminal Court into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the need for immediate and effective relief efforts grows increasingly urgent.