Ethiopia Declares National Mourning After Floods

Ethiopia has declared three days of national mourning after the death toll from severe flooding and landslides in the country’s south rose to at least 80.

Rescue teams are continuing search operations as many people remain missing and thousands have been displaced by the disaster, according to local reports.

The national mourning period was announced by the House of Peoples' Representatives and took effect Saturday.

Heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in several areas in southern Ethiopia, leaving communities devastated and forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said the organization has deployed rapid response teams to assist the affected regions.

The teams are supporting local health authorities and helping provide emergency medical services as recovery and rescue efforts continue.