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.

"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.

Women and children were among the casualties, Dagmawi said, adding the search for survivors was "continuing vigorously."