A catastrophic landslide has swallowed the village of Tarsin in Jebel Marra, Darfur, erasing nearly 1,000 lives in a moment. Residents say the earth seemed to open beneath them, reducing homes and orchards to dust after relentless rains battered the region.
Images shared on social media show a barren wasteland where once stood a thriving village, its landmarks now completely extinguished. Local authorities confirmed only one survivor, describing Tarsin’s obliteration as both unprecedented and devastating in its scale and human toll.
Officials noted the area was renowned for citrus cultivation, adding that the fertile slopes now lie buried beneath unstable, shifting ground. Rescue operations remain severely hampered by treacherous terrain, with teams struggling to reach the affected site amid continuing instability and risk.
Authorities have begun assessing the scale of destruction, though they warn recovery will be painfully slow given the enormity of the disaster.
The tragedy comes as Sudan faces an alarming surge in natural disasters, with floods and rains wreaking havoc across multiple states this year. Darfur’s Jebel Marra region, scarred by protracted conflict, now endures compounded suffering from poverty, insecurity, and the merciless force of nature.
For survivors and neighbouring villages, Tarsin’s disappearance serves as a haunting reminder of vulnerability, where war and weather both claim lives without warning.
