ADDIS ABABA - The death toll from flash floods that hit an eastern Ethiopian town rose to 254 on Thursday as rescuers widened their search for some 250 people still missing, police said.
Teams of soldiers and police have rummaged through piles of mud and sandy debris for five days around Dire Dawa, 525 km (324 miles) east of the capital Addis Ababa.
"The rescue team has intensified its search up to 60 km (37 miles) downstream after it received some information from people along the banks of the river who have located dead bodies," police inspector Benyam Fikru told Reuters from Dire Dawa.
"The death toll is now 254 after three adult bodies were found downstream and a child's body was found in the riverbed in town after people were drawn by the stench," he said.
The Dechatu river burst its banks on Saturday night, sweeping away many victims and destroying buildings.
Flash floods typically happen in lowland areas after heavy rains drench the highlands during the June-August rainy season.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
