A section of a busy highway linking Quibo to Medellin in Colombia was swept away by a landslide. The death toll is at least 34 dead.
At least 34 people died Friday, including many children, in a double mudslide in Colombia. Initially, a landslide, caused by heavy rainblocked a busy highway between Medellin and Quibo.
According to the first information we have, the drivers and passengers found shelter from the rain in a nearby house. But a second mudslide occurred, carrying away the building and completely burying it with all its occupants.
Help has already been found the bodies of 17 victims.
The National Disaster Risk Management Unit initially said in a statement that at least 18 people had been killed. The agency also said at least 35 injured people were transported to hospitals.
The new death toll was reported by the Chocó governor’s office, where a unified command post was established to coordinate search and rescue operations. In a statement, it said 17 bodies had been identified and authorities were trying to identify 17 more. The prosecutor’s office confirmed the death toll.
Earlier, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez said in a message published on the social network research continued “to find the people stuck under the landslide”. She said several children were among the victims.
The risk management unit did not say what might have caused the mudslide, but the Defense Ministry reported Friday evening that it was raining in the area, making rescue operations difficult.
A video posted on X reportedly showed the moment of the mudslide, when the side of a mountain slid across the highway, covering some cars. The Associated Press was unable to verify its authenticity.
President Gustavo Petro said his government would provide all necessary support in what he described as a “horrible tragedy”.
