Ethiopia landslide kills 14 at Amhara monastery

A landslide killed 14 worshippers at an Orthodox monastery in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, the head of the local diocese told AFP.

Megabe Hadis Neka Tibeb Ababu said the landslide happened early on Monday in Sela Dingay, about 200 kilometres northeast of Addis Ababa, after very heavy overnight rain with lightning and thunder.

He said mud and rocks swept down a hillside and buried part of Tsadkane Mariam Orthodox monastery. Five other people were injured, and three severely injured people were taken to Debre Birhan Hospital for treatment, he said.

The diocesan head said the death toll was final. Local authorities in North Shewa zone also reported 14 deaths on Monday in what they described as an earthquake and sudden landslide, without giving further details.

Ethiopia is in its longer rainy season, which runs from June to September. The country is frequently affected by climate-related disasters.