Tragedy at the Monastery: Deadly Ethiopian Landslide Buries Worshippers, Leaving 14 Dead

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — A devastating landslide triggered by heavy overnight rainfall swept through a historic hillside monastery in northern Ethiopia's Amhara region early on Monday morning, August 3, 2026 killing 14 worshippers and injuring several others.

The tragedy struck around 7:00 a.m. at the Tsadqane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery (also known as Tsadkane Mariam Orthodox monastery) located in Sela Dingay, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.

Hundreds of pilgrims had gathered at the site to participate in a holy water cleansing ritual, a traditional practice sought by worshippers seeking spiritual healing and relief from chronic illnesses. Torrential rains accompanied by thunder and lightning caused massive boulders and heavy mud to dislodge from the adjacent mountain, crashing directly onto the assembled crowd.

Fourteen worshippers praying near the mountainside were killed instantly as the mudslide engulfed part of the complex, with all 14 fatalities confirmed directly at the scene. While 11 of the deceased victims were buried on the monastery grounds, the remains of others were transported back to their home towns.

Additionally, at least five people sustained injuries during the disaster, and the most severely wounded were rushed to Debre Birhan Hospital—located in the capital of the North Shewa Administrative Zone—for urgent medical treatment. In the aftermath, specialized disaster management teams and emergency personnel were quickly deployed to clear heavy debris and lead ongoing search and rescue operations.

"Fourteen worshippers who were praying in the monastery were killed instantly by the disaster," stated Megabe Hadis Neka Tibeb Ababu, general manager of the diocese, noting the extreme difficulty in identifying some of the victims beneath the heavy debris.

Ethiopia is currently in the midst of its main rainy season, locally known as Kiremt, which typically spans from June through September. Downpours during this period frequently lead to severe flooding and deadly soil instability across mountainous rural terrain. Local officials continue to monitor weather patterns and warn communities residing near steep slopes to remain vigilant against further ground movement.