Colombia landslide kills at least 14 and injures 35

 

Aerial view of rescuers removing debris during the search of victims after a landslide caused by heavy rains in Pereira, Risaralda department, Colombia. - AFP PIC

BOGOTA: At least 14 people were killed and 35 injured after a landslide covered several homes in central Colombia on Tuesday, the country's disaster management agency said.

The incident in Dosquebradas, close to the city of Pereira, followed heavy rains in the surrounding coffee-growing province.

People remove debris following a landslide caused by heavy rains, that killed and injured residents and destroyed homes, in Pereira, Colombia. - REUTERS PIC

"Our updated report indicates that 35 people were injured, 14 lost their lives and one remains missing," the UNGRD disaster agency said on Twitter of the early morning landslide in the La Esneda neighbourhood. Rescue efforts were ongoing, it added.

Authorities evacuated dozens of nearby homes as the Otun river overflowed.

Rescuers remove debris during the search of victims after a landslide caused by heavy rains in Pereira, Risaralda department, Colombia. - AFP PIC

Landslides are common in Colombia due to the mountainous terrain, frequent heavy rains and poor or informal construction of houses.

The country's most recent large landslide disaster was in the city of Mocoa in 2017, when over 320 people were killed. --REUTERS