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What happened during the Sudan landslide?
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, a catastrophic landslide struck the remote mountain village of Tarasin in the Marrah (Jebel Marra) Mountains, located in Central Darfur, western Sudan. The disaster was triggered by days of intense rainfall, which destabilized the volcanic slopes and unleashed a torrent of mud and debris that completely buried the settlement.
Initial estimates from the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A)—the rebel faction controlling the area—indicate that more than 1,000 residents lost their lives. Tragically, only one person survived, suffering severe injuries and now lying in a coma.
Discrepancies & Challenges in Casualty Reporting
While the SLM/A insists the death toll surpasses 1,000, the United Nations has suggested a range of 300 to 1,000 fatalities. The discrepancy reflects the extreme difficulty in verifying numbers across the inaccessible terrain and amidst ongoing conflict.
Why was Tarasin hit by the landslide?
Tarasin was nestled within the Marrah Mountains, a rugged volcanic massif rising over 3,000 meters above sea level. The village, perched on steep slopes, was known for its citrus cultivation.
Its remote location—reachable only by foot or donkey—combined with the region’s harsh topography has made rescue and relief operations extremely difficult.
What has been done so far to control the situation?
The SLM/A urgently appealed to the United Nations and international aid agencies for assistance with body recovery and humanitarian relief, stressing that local resources were utterly overwhelmed.
UN humanitarian coordinator Luca Renda confirmed that humanitarian partners were mobilizing support but underscored the significant access barriers due to rain-damaged roads and insecure terrain. Doctors Without Borders also noted that the ongoing civil war has compounded these challenges.
Both warring factions—the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—along with the Transitional Sovereignty Council, pledged support. The African Union called on all parties to “silence the guns” to allow humanitarian aid to reach the disaster zone.
Broader Context: Conflict and Climate Fragility
The landslide struck against the backdrop of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, particularly in Darfur.
Moreover, the rainy season, which peaks in late August, has historically rendered the Marrah Mountains prone to landslides. A similar event in 2018 in nearby Toukoli killed at least 20 people, underscoring the persistent risk in this vulnerable landscape.
Adding to the climate fragility, eastern Sudan experienced a devastating dam collapse in 2024—another example of how extreme weather and fragile infrastructure are compounding human suffering in the country.
Survivor and Legacy
The lone survivor of Tarasin’s destruction suffered multiple fractures to both legs and a serious head injury. He remains in a coma and is unable to speak.
According to his nephew, Fath al-Rahman Ali Abdelnour, who lives in Kampala, Uganda, Tarasin had been founded by his father in the 1980s. In recent years, the village had also become a refuge for more than 450 displaced people fleeing the country’s brutal war.
How big was this landslide
The landslide that obliterated Tarasin on August 31, 2025, stands as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Sudan’s modern history. It reflects a tragic convergence of climate pressures, longstanding conflict, and fragile infrastructure, which together devastated an already vulnerable community.
With access constraints, conflicting death tolls, and Sudan’s instability hindering comprehensive relief, the tragedy in Tarasin has become a stark reminder of the urgent need for both humanitarian access and lasting peace in the region.
Essential Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Tarasin village, Marrah Mountains (Jebel Marra), Central Darfur, Sudan |
| Date of Disaster | Sunday, August 31, 2025 |
| Cause | Landslide triggered by days of heavy rainfall |
| Reported Fatalities | Between 300–1,000 (UN estimate); over 1,000 (SLM/A estimate) |
| Known Survivor | Only one; in coma with severe injuries |
| Access Challenges | Remote mountainous terrain, rain-damaged roads, conflict zone |
| Key Responders | SLM/A, United Nations, Sudanese army, RSF-linked government, African Union |
| Contextual Factors | Ongoing civil war since April 2023; climate-driven vulnerability; previous landslide in 2018 |
