International Desk: At least 34 people have been killed in landslides caused by heavy rains in the northwestern part of the South American country of Colombia. Most of the dead were children. In addition, the road connecting Medellin and Quibdo has been closed due to this landslide. News from The Guardian.
Meanwhile, the country is conducting rescue and search operations to reach the trapped people.
“I am deeply saddened by the deaths of 33 people in this tragedy,” the country’s Vice President Francia Marquez wrote on social media platform X on Saturday. According to initial reports from the area, most of the dead were children.
He added that, at this time, search and rescue operations are continuing for the trapped people.
Multiple landslides occurred in Medellin and Quibdo cities in the country last Friday afternoon local time. The road connecting the two cities was closed.
Besides, many people were injured on the busy highway during the landslide. Some people were even reported missing after several vehicles got stuck in the mud on the road.
A special rescue team of the Colombian police rescued several people alive on Saturday and also recovered the bodies of some of the dead. But with several roads closed, rescuers and firefighters are virtually struggling to reach the worst-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the President of Colombia, Gustavo Proto, has assured all kinds of assistance in dealing with the disaster in the Choco region. In a post on social media, the country’s Vice President, Francia Marquez, said that at least 30 people were injured in the landslide.
It should be noted that the drought season is currently underway in this South American country. However, the country’s Climate, Meteorology, and Environment Agency has warned that landslides may occur due to heavy rains in areas bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon forest in the east.
