Status: 02/09/2022 08:37 a.m
Heavy rains have triggered a landslide in western Colombia. Masses of mud fell on residential buildings, at least 14 people died. While the rescue work is underway, the authorities are warning of further departures.
Several people were killed in a landslide in a slum in western Colombia. “We have 14 dead and 34 injured from this landslide,” said Pereira City Mayor Carlos Maya.
In addition, the landslide left material losses, wrote Colombian President Ivan Duque on Twitter. “We deeply regret what happened between Dosquebradas and Pereira, Risaralda.” Rescue workers are on duty. The authorities had previously reported eleven dead and 35 injured.
Risaralda Governor Víctor Manuel Tamayo wrote that he had ordered all support to be made available for relief workers on the ground. “Saving lives is a priority.” Villagers and rescue workers helped clear the rubble of the homes torn down to look for bodies or survivors. The military supported the rescue and recovery work.
As much rain as usual in 20 days
After heavy rain, a mudslide rolled into a residential area in the village of Pereira on Tuesday morning. According to the information, a mountain slope had broken off and had buried several houses under it. The local director of civil protection, Alexander Galindo, spoke to the AFP news agency of two missing people for the time being.
According to initial findings, the landslide is said to be due to “human intervention” in a channel in the upper part of the mountain slope. According to Galindo, 93,000 millimeters of rain per square meter fell on Monday – “that’s how much it rains in Pereira under normal conditions in 20 days”.
More landslides feared
Due to flooding in the nearby Otún River, Mayor Maya of Pereira warned of the risk of further landslides in the area. Local residents should better leave the area to avoid further casualties, he advised. Many of the houses in the affected neighborhood are made of wood, and more than 60 have been cleared. Emergency services examined damage and the risk of collapse on the houses.