Darfur, Sudan | September 2, 2025 – A catastrophic landslide has struck the Marra Mountains in western Sudan’s Darfur region, wiping out the village of Tarasin and killing more than 1,000 people. According to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), only one survivor has been found.
The landslide, triggered by days of relentless rainfall on August 31, 2025, buried homes and families beneath massive layers of debris.
A Village Wiped Out
The SLM/A, led by Abdelwahid Mohamed Nour, reported that the disaster completely leveled Tarasin, leaving behind unimaginable devastation.
“Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than one thousand individuals, with only one survivor,” the group confirmed.
The victims were mostly displaced civilians who had fled to the Marra Mountains for safety amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
Conflict and Displacement
The Marra Mountains, long known for their citrus farms and rugged beauty, have also served as a sanctuary for thousands escaping the brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- The civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has displaced millions.
- Over half of Sudan’s population now faces crisis-level hunger.
- The capital of North Darfur, Al-Fashir, remains under siege by RSF forces.
Calls for International Help
Darfur’s governor, Minni Minnawi, described the disaster as a “humanitarian tragedy that goes beyond the borders of the region.”
He urged global humanitarian organizations to step in, noting that survivors and nearby communities face extreme shortages of food, medicine, and rescue resources.
The SLM/A has also appealed directly to the United Nations and aid agencies, stressing the urgency of recovering victims’ bodies despite the village’s remote and inaccessible location.
Wider Environmental Crisis
The landslide comes as West Africa battles record floods, displacing hundreds of thousands across the region.
Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Vall, reporting from Khartoum, noted:
“The Marra Mountains are inaccessible by car or other land transport, making it nearly impossible to reach the affected village without specialized international teams.”
With villages overcrowded by displaced populations, experts warn that further disasters could occur.
A Crisis Within a Crisis
Sudan’s civil war has already caused tens of thousands of deaths, with some estimates placing the toll at 150,000 since 2023. International watchdogs have warned of ethnic cleansing and the risk of a “Rwanda-like” genocide in Darfur.
This disaster highlights the compounded vulnerabilities faced by civilians:
- War displaces families into fragile environments.
- Climate shocks like floods and landslides destroy what little refuge they find.
- Aid blockades leave survivors without lifelines.
What Comes Next?
The Marra Mountains landslide underscores the urgent need for global attention to Sudan’s escalating crisis. Immediate international support is crucial—not only for rescue and recovery, but also for sustained humanitarian relief in Darfur and beyond.
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