At least 33 people were killed and dozens more injured after a landslide in Colombia, authorities said.
The landslide in the western part of the country hit a busy municipal highway in a mountainous area connecting the cities of Quibdó and Medellín in the Pacific province of Chocó on Friday, according to reports.
Rescuers and canines from across the country were sent to the scene to search for the injured, the government said in a statement.
The death toll from a landslide in western Colombia has risen to 33, the government said. AP The landslide hit a busy municipal road on Friday. via REUTERS A specialized rescue group from the Colombian Army works to find survivors. via REUTERS A damaged vehicle in the rubble of the landslide. BROCHURE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHOCO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The tragic death toll was reported by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez in X, who reported that there was an “ongoing” search for victims, some of whom are minors.
According to authorities, the mud also completely swallowed several cars that were traveling on the road.
The cause of the landslide was not immediately known. The country’s Department of Defense reported Friday night that rain in the area has made rescue operations difficult.
A video posted on X showed the moment when the side of a mountain slid onto the road, covering some cars. The Associated Press could not verify its authenticity.
The National Disaster Risk Management Unit initially said in a statement that at least 18 people had died and at least 35 injured people were transported to hospital.
President Gustavo Petro wrote in X that his government would provide support to confront the “horrible tragedy.”
“We lived a very sad weekend for Chocó, our people feel the pain of the victims,” said the governor of Chocó, Nubia Córdoba Curi.
With post cables
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn