At least 1,000 people were killed when a landslide on flattened a village in the Marra Mountains of western Sudan after days of heavy rain, leaving one reported survivor, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), which controls the area in Darfur.
Key Takeaways
- SLM/A reports at least 1,000 fatalities and one survivor after a landslide in the Marra Mountains, Darfur.
- The slide followed several days of heavy rainfall and obliterated the village.
- The movement appealed to the United Nations and aid agencies for help to recover the dead.
- Many victims were displaced people who had fled fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur.
- SLM/A says food and medical supplies in the area are inadequate.
- Sudan’s two-year civil war has pushed over half the population into crisis levels of hunger and displaced millions; Al-Fashir remains under attack.
- Death toll and details have not yet been independently verified.
Verified Facts
The SLM/A, led by Abdelwahid Mohamed Nour, stated that a landslide struck a village in the Marra Mountains on after sustained heavy rainfall. The group said the village was completely destroyed and that only one person survived.
SLM/A appealed for urgent assistance from the United Nations and international humanitarian groups to help recover bodies and address basic needs. The movement says it controls the affected area, which is in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Residents sheltering in the mountains had previously fled ongoing fighting between the national army and the RSF in North Darfur, where essential supplies are scarce.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of landslide | |
| Location | Marra Mountains, Darfur, western Sudan |
| Reported death toll | At least 1,000 (per SLM/A) |
| Reported survivors | One (per SLM/A) |
| Cause cited | Days of heavy rainfall |
Context & Impact
The disaster compounds Sudan’s broader humanitarian emergency. The country’s civil war, now in its second year, has uprooted millions and driven more than half the population to crisis levels of food insecurity. Access constraints, insecurity, and degraded infrastructure make search, recovery, and relief operations in mountainous terrain especially difficult.
Recovery of the dead and delivery of aid will likely require safe access and coordinated support. Without swift assistance, the combination of mass casualties, disrupted sanitation, and limited healthcare could heighten risks of disease outbreaks among displaced communities.
Official Statements
The movement said the village was flattened by the slide and urged the UN and aid groups to help recover the bodies and assist survivors.
Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A)
Unconfirmed
- The reported death toll and the claim of a single survivor have not been independently verified by the UN or other neutral organizations.
- The name of the affected village and full casualty details were not immediately released.
- Accessibility of the site and the timeline for any international response remain unclear.
Bottom Line
If confirmed, the Marra Mountains landslide would be one of the deadliest natural disasters reported in Sudan in recent years. Independent verification and rapid, safe access for humanitarian teams will be critical to recover the dead and prevent further loss of life.