MONITORING DESK
BOGOTA: At least 27 passengers died when a landslide caused by heavy rain buried a passenger bus in Colombia’s northwest on Sunday, President of Colombia Gustavo Petro said.
The landslide hit the bus between the villages of Santa Cecilia and Pueblo Rico in Risaralda province, about 230km (140 miles) from the capital Bogota.
“With sorrow, I must announce that until now, 27 people, including three children, have lost their lives in the tragic incident in Pueblo Rico, Risaralda,” President posted on the social networking site Twitter.
Five people rescued alive from Colombia bus
“I express my solidarity and sympathies with the victims’ families,” the president added, pledging support from the national government.
Pueblo Rico Mayor Leonardo Fabio Siagama told reporters that bodies were being brought to a covered stadium in the town that is normally used for sports.
Risaralda’s governor, Victor Manuel Tamayo, said that five people had been rescued from the bus earlier.
Officials had said at least 25 people were on the bus traveling between Cali, Colombia’s third largest city, and Condoto, in Choco province.
