On August 31, 2025, a calamitous landslide struck Darfur, Sudan, obliterating the entire village of Tarseen, causing more than 1,000 fatalities, with merely one individual surviving. This tragic disaster occurred in the Jebel Marra mountainous region, an area already plagued with refugees due to the ongoing civil war.
What triggered the landslide?
The landslide hit on the evening of August 31, 2025. The Jebel Marra mountains had endured relentless downpours for a week, loosening the soil. Known for its citrus production, Tarseen village was entirely flattened.
Falling stones from the mountains... Afghanistan's quake devastation
The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) reported that nearly all residents of the village succumbed, over 1,000 lives lost, leaving just one survivor. A UN official suggested the death toll might be at least 370, yet precise numbers are elusive due to the challenging terrain.
This catastrophe was prompted by heavy rainfall. The entire village was submerged in debris. Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nour of the SLM/A stated that the village is now on equal footing with the ground. The region is prone to landslides during monsoon seasons.
Source: aajtak
Date with Disaster: Sole Survivor
The devastation was so intense that the entire village lay buried under earth, trees, and rubble. Men, women, and children all perished, with just one survivor standing amid the ruins. Extracting the bodies poses significant challenges.
Images showcased the merging of two mountain valleys where the village once thrived, now entirely flattened. Darfur's army-aligned governor Mini Minawi labeled it a 'humanitarian tragedy,' expressing the unbearable sorrow.
The SLM/A requested assistance from the UN and international agencies for retrieval efforts. However, accessing the mountainous area proves difficult—no helicopters, only rugged roads. UN's Antoine Gerard characterized aid delivery as challenging.
Rain or urban fault... why does Gurgaon face frequent inundation?
Civil War Exacerbates Disaster
This landslide is intertwined with Sudan's two-year civil conflict. Since April 2023, battles between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have claimed over 150,000 lives. The RSF siege of North Darfur's capital, Al-Fashir, exacerbates famine conditions.
Masses sought refuge in Jebel Marra, yet face food, medicine, and shelter shortages. The SLM/A remains neutral, controlling part of Jebel Marra. Millions face hunger, and homelessness burdens the nation.
A cholera outbreak grips Taweela, worsened by the rains. Allegations of genocide plague Darfur. Refugees seek shelter in risky mountainous terrains amidst natural disasters.
From floods to rising rivers, the inundation from city to village... Punjab's devastation explained
Rescue and Aid
The SLM/A appealed to the UN and other groups for emergency aid. The army government expressed condolences and promised support, while the RSF-controlled government remains silent. Extracting and burying the bodies is a formidable task. The UN highlights the need for aid by 30 million people, but access is hampered by war conditions.
Experts caution that the monsoon persists, heightening disaster risks. Darfur's governor solicits international help. This landslide painfully marries Sudan's civil strife with natural calamity.
