Catastrophic Landslide Claims Over 1,000 Lives
A devastating landslide struck the remote village of Tarasin in Sudan Marrah Mountains on August 31, 2025, killing an estimated 1,000 to over 1,000 people and leaving only one known survivor, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), which controls the area. The disaster is one of Sudan’s deadliest natural events in recent memory, unfolding amid ongoing famine and armed conflict that have already crippled the region.
Inaccessible Rescue Amid Conflict and Famine
Heavy rains preceding the landslide destabilized the earth in this volcanic highland region, causing massive mud and rock collapse upon the village . The only routes to the site are on foot or by donkey, making ground access nearly impossible and chokes relief operations.
The broader Darfur region is entrenched in civil war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has triggered widespread famine and blocked aid to rebel-controlled areas. The United Nations warned that famine conditions have engulfed parts of North Darfur and IDP camps, with millions at risk and humanitarian operations severely constrained.
Appeals for Help Amid Humanitarian Collapse
The SLM/A has urgently called upon the United Nations and international aid groups to help recover bodies and provide disaster relief. The UN’s humanitarian coordinator, Luca Renda, provided a cautious estimate—citing between 300 and 1,000 presumed dead, reflecting difficulty in assessing the full scale of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders labeled the Marrah Mountains region a “black hole” for relief due to years of blockade and limited access. Aid groups have repeatedly described the area as neglected and bereft of assistance amid the catastrophic combination of conflict and starvation.
Broader Context: War, Displacement, and Environmental Risks
Tarasin’s population included families displaced by earlier RSF sieges on Fasher and North Darfur, many seeking refuge in the highlands for safety. The communities living in these mountainous zones have long been beyond government reach, forming informal settlements amid agricultural and tribal disputes.
The ongoing civil war, now two years in, has decimated infrastructure and devastated humanitarian capacity. An estimated 12 to 14 million people have been displaced, with famine formally declared in multiple regions and disease outbreaks worsening the crisis.
The landslide underscores how the intersection of climate shocks—like intense rainfall—and man-made disasters magnify human suffering. Seasonal rains regularly kill hundreds in Sudan, but this event stands out for its scale and timing amid a national emergency.
What’s at Stake for Sudan and the World
This landslide is urgent not just for Tarasin but in highlighting the broader collapse of Somalia’s humanitarian response. With entire communities unreachable, families buried, and famine worsening, the tragedy is emblematic of the humanitarian blindspot in conflict zones. It calls for immediate action and long-term strategies to restore access to aid and build resilience.
FAQs
A: Reports indicate over 1,000 people were killed, though the UN estimates between 300 and 1,000, citing limited access to confirm the figures.
A: The area’s remote mountainous terrain, limited access by foot or donkey, ongoing conflict, collapsed infrastructure, and famine-created blockades have all severely restricted humanitarian access.
Sources:
The Times
AP news
People
