COLOMBIAN ARMY PRESS OFFICE VIA AP
In this handout photo released by the Colombian Army Press Office, a rescue team recovers the body of a mudslide victim, that killed several people and left dozens injured, in western Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 13.
COLOMBIAN ARMY PRESS OFFICE VIA AP
In this photo released through the Colombian army’s press office, a rescue team searches for survivors of a landslide that killed several more people and injured dozens in western Colombia on Saturday, Jan. 13. The avalanche blanketed a road on a busy municipal thoroughfare. Mountainous domain that connects the towns of Quibdó and Medellín.
BOGOTA, Colombia >> The death toll of a mudslide in western Colombia rose to 34 on Saturday, authorities said.
The mudslide struck a busy municipal road Friday in a mountainous area connecting the cities of Quibdo and Medellin.
The National Disaster Risk Management Unit first said in a statement that at least 18 other people had died. The company also said at least 35 injured people were taken to hospitals.
The new death toll was reported through the Chocó governor’s office, where a unified command post was set up to coordinate search and rescue operations. In a statement, it said 17 bodies had been located and the government was seeking to identify 17 others. The prosecutor’s office showed the total number of dead.
Earlier, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez said in a message posted on the social network X that they are seeking to “locate the other people who were trapped under the landslide. “He said several young people were among the victims, but gave no figures. .
The threat control unit did not specify what may have caused the landslide, but the Defense Ministry reported last Friday that it was raining in the area, hampering rescue operations.
A video posted on X purportedly showed the moment of the landslide, when the appearance of a mountain slid down the road, covering some cars. The Associated Press could barely determine its authenticity.
President Gustavo Petro tweeted Friday that his government would provide all mandatory supplies in what he described as a “horrible tragedy. “
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