At least 55 people were killed in a landslide in a remote area of southern Ethiopia on Monday, local authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise, Paralel.Az reports citing AFP.

"More than 55 bodies have been found from the landslide," a statement from the Gofa zone Communications Affairs Department said, quoting local chief Dagmawi Zerihun, who warned "the death toll could yet increase".

The landslide occurred around 10am (0700 GMT) following heavy rains in the remote region, Dagmawi said.

He added that the search for survivors was "continuing vigorously".