Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed over the consequences of landslides in the south of the African country. The cable was published on the Kremlin website.
"Please express our deep condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of landslides in the south of your country," the message reads.
The Russian leader also asked his Ethiopian counterpart to "convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured."
The landslide occurred Monday in the Geze-Gofa region in the south of the country. Ethiopia is in the midst of the rainy season, which began in July and is expected to last until mid-September. Prolonged rains sometimes cause landslides in parts of the East African country.
The UN says the death toll has already reached 257 and could rise to 500.