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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
The death toll from Wednesday’s armed attack in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul-Gumuz region has risen to 207, the country’s rights body said late Friday.
The Ethiopian Rights Commission (ECHR) said in a statement that 133 of the victims were adult men and 35 adult women. In addition, 17 children died, one of whom was a six-month-old baby and 20 elderly. Two of the victims died while receiving treatment at a Bulen hospital.
“We are committed to verifying the identities of the deceased with the help of survivors and identification cards,” the commission said, adding that it is following the burial processions.
“A committee has been formed made up of members of the police, regional authorities and the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation and is currently monitoring the identification, registration and burial of the victims,” they added.
More than 10,500 people from Chilanko, Bekuji, Dishbako, Bar and Bekuji Kelebe have been displaced and are sheltering in bus stations, schools and meeting rooms, the statement said.
The committee emphasized that “While Bulen residents and volunteers are taking care of their basic needs, for the time being, there is an urgent need for more sustainable humanitarian assistance.”
On Wednesday, gunmen of the Gumuz ethnic group attacked minorities in Bulen County.
The attack came a day after the country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, visited the region.
Dozens of regional officials suspected of participating in the attack have been arrested.
An official from the regional capital, who asked not to be named due to security concerns, told Anadolu Agency that extensive security measures are being implemented in the region.
“Military personnel are arriving in the region and more officials suspected of helping the rebel are being detained,” he said.
* Dilan Pamuk contributed to this report from Ankara.
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