A massive landslide in Sudan’s remote Marra Mountains has killed more than 1,000 people, leaving only one survivor, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A). Triggered by days of relentless rainfall, the disaster struck the village of Tarasin in western Sudan, completely leveling homes and burying residents under debris.
The SLM/A, which controls the area, has appealed to the United Nations, regional partners, and international humanitarian organisations for urgent aid, warning that survivors cannot cope with the scale of devastation alone.
The tragedy comes as millions of displaced Sudanese have sought refuge in the Marra Mountains, fleeing the brutal war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Fighting that erupted in April 2023 has killed an estimated 150,000 people, driven over 12 million from their homes, and plunged the country into famine.
Darfur’s governor, Minni Minnawi, aligned with the Sudanese army, described the landslide as a “humanitarian tragedy” and called for immediate international intervention. Images from the disaster show twin mountain gullies collapsing into the valley where Tarasin once stood.
The conflict in Darfur has been marked by ethnic violence, with the RSF and allied militias accused of atrocities aimed at reshaping the region into an Arab-controlled territory. In response, factions of the SLM/A have pledged to fight alongside the Sudanese army.
With Sudan already reeling from civil war, famine, and accusations of genocide, the Tarasin landslide adds another layer of suffering, underscoring the urgent need for global humanitarian support.
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