A devastating landslide buried the village of Tarseen in the mountainous Jebel Marra area of Darfur, western Sudan, killing at least 1,000 people according to local reports. The disaster struck on September 1, 2025, leaving only one survivor from the entire village.
Tarseen, known for its citrus farming, was completely destroyed by the mudslide caused by heavy, continuous rains.
The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), which controls the Jebel Marra region, urgently called on the United Nations and international aid groups to assist with recovering bodies and helping survivors. The ongoing rain has also made travel extremely difficult, slowing relief efforts.
Abdelwahid Mohamed Nur, the SLM/A leader, warned nearby communities about the danger, calling for immediate evacuation plans and emergency shelters. The affected area has been cut off, with the last part of the route to Tarseen impassable by vehicles, forcing responders to travel by foot or donkey.
Volunteers managed to recover nine bodies so far, and many victims included people displaced by ongoing fighting in Sudan’s civil war. The village had been a refuge for those escaping violence, but now survivors face threats from floods, hunger, and disease outbreaks such as cholera, especially in nearby towns like Tawila.
The SLM/A has remained neutral in Sudan’s conflict between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are battling for control of the Darfur region’s capital, al-Fashir. This two-year civil war has displaced millions and left many at risk from hunger and flooding.
Sudan’s main government expressed condolences and promised assistance. Meanwhile, Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, the RSF-backed prime minister of a rival government, said he would coordinate with SLM/A to deliver aid. International leaders, including Pope Leo, have sent prayers and condolences for the victims.
The tragedy highlights the desperate humanitarian situation in Sudan, where ongoing conflict and severe weather are causing widespread suffering and urgent demand for international support.
