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The government announced on Saturday that the number of fatalities from a mudslide in western Colombia has increased to 33.
On Friday, a mudslide occurred on a heavily trafficked municipal road in a hilly region that connects the cities of Quibdo and Medellin.
The initial statement from the National Disaster Risk Management Unit reported a death toll of 18. The agency additionally stated that 35 injured individuals were transported to various hospitals.
Colombian vice president Francia Márquez shared on the social platform X, previously known as Twitter, that the death toll has increased. She also stated that among the casualties are minors and that there are still individuals trapped under the mud. A search and rescue operation is currently underway for those who are missing.
The risk management department did not specify the reason for the mudslide, but the Defense Department stated on Friday evening that the area has been experiencing rain, hindering the rescue efforts.
A video shared on X purportedly displayed the instant of the mudslide, as a section of a mountain collapsed onto the highway, engulfing several cars. The legitimacy of the footage could not be confirmed by the Associated Press.
On Friday, President Gustavo Petro stated on Twitter that his administration will offer necessary assistance following what he termed a “terrible disaster.”
Source: independent.co.uk
