In western Sudan’s Darfur region, persistent heavy rain caused a catastrophic landslide that crushed the mountain village of Tarasin in the Marrah Mountains on August 31.
According to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the disaster claimed the lives of all villagers—more than one thousand people—with only a single survivor reported .
The mudslide obliterated the village, leaving no structures intact.
The controlling group issued an urgent request for assistance from the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations to help recover the bodies buried under debris.
Tarasin lay in the heart of the Marrah Mountains, a rugged volcanic region which often serves as a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere.
The area, which also supports sizeable citrus farming, became even more densely populated as refugees sought safety from ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) .
Rescue and recovery operations are hampered by the region’s isolation and poor infrastructure—challenges made worse by the two-year civil war engulfing Sudan, which began in April 2023.
Aid agencies have struggled to reach this part of Darfur due to conflict and restricted access .
The civil war has forced millions from their homes, driven large parts of the population into hunger, and resulted in a severe humanitarian emergency.
Parts of Darfur have seen famine declared, making this landslide’s devastation even more dire.