At least 14 people have died and five others were injured following a devastating landslide at the historic Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq Kidist Mariam Monastery in Ethiopia’s North Shewa Zone, local church authorities confirmed.
The sudden disaster struck the religious complex after intense seasonal rainfall destabilized the surrounding mountainous terrain. Emergency responders and local community members worked quickly to evacuate survivors, transporting the injured—who suffered varying degrees of severe and minor trauma—to nearby medical facilities for urgent care.
According to a formal announcement by the North Shewa Diocese’s Abukelempsis Media, the tragedy occurred during a period of high religious observance at the sanctuary. Numerous Orthodox Christian pilgrims had gathered at the remote monastery to attend spiritual retreats (subaye), partake in holy water rituals (tsebel), and observe the traditional annual feast (nigs). The sudden collapse of soil and rock overwhelmed portions of the grounds, trapping several worshippers under heavy debris before immediate rescue operations could be launched.
In the aftermath of the incident, His Eminence Abune Klementos, Archbishop of the North Shewa Diocese, traveled directly to the disaster site to oversee support efforts and conduct absolution prayers (fithat) for the deceased. The Archbishop delivered pastoral blessings and messages of spiritual consolation to the grieving community and surviving families. In an official statement, the diocese expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life, issuing prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased, the fast recovery of the injured, and strength for affected households.
Geographically, the highland regions of central and northern Ethiopia are particularly vulnerable to landslides during the primary rainy season (Kiremt), which stretches from June to September. Continuous torrential downpours saturate steep topographies, significantly heightening the threat of mudslides in rural and isolated areas. Disaster management experts note that remote monasteries and rural settlements built along hillsides face elevated risks during these months, where limited infrastructure often complicates early warning systems and immediate disaster response.
Relief operations and site security measures remain active at the monastery as local authorities and diocese representatives evaluate the stability of the remaining slopes. The North Shewa Diocese confirmed that coordinated aid efforts are ongoing in conjunction with local government officials to assist displaced pilgrims and mitigate further environmental risks in the area.