ADDIS ABABA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has set up a team to investigate the cause of the garbage dump landslide that killed 113 people in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
A committee consisting of professionals from the Addis Ababa University and the University of Texas, has been assembled to investigate the incident, according to Diriba Kuma, Addis Ababa city mayor.
The East African country Thursday is on its second day of the three-day national mourning to remember victims of Saturday's landfill collapse, with its flags lowered at half mast.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, while briefing members of the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives, on Thursday expressed his "deep condolence" to families of the victims and the Ethiopian people.
Dagmawit Moges, Head of Addis Ababa City Administration Communication Affairs Office, told Xinhua the number of people found dead had remained unchanged at 113 since Wednesday night.
Moges said the search had almost covered all areas of the collapsed landfill and the chance of finding new people was slim. The excavation process could thus end anytime soon.
Meanwhile, various governmental and non-governmental organizations have pledged support to victims and their families.
Many of the victims were inside their houses as the landslide hits the 36-hectare municipal landfill on Saturday night, which is home to many local dwellers.
The city government has evacuated 320 inhabitants from the area. A committee particularly designated to respond to the crisis has also been set up.
