BOGOTA: At least eight people have been reported dead and approximately 20 are missing after a landslide, triggered by heavy rains, struck central Colombia overnight, according to authorities on Tuesday.
Civil defense director Jorge Diaz informed Noticias Caracol TV that the victims included two children. The incident occurred on a road connecting Bogota to the southeast of the country near the town of Puente Quetame in the Cundinamarca department.
Following torrential rains that persisted from Monday afternoon into the night, the Cundinamarca fire department estimated that around 20 people were missing. The landslide transpired near a toll post approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from the capital city.
Landslide Destroys 20 Houses in Colombia
Firefighters conducted evacuations, rescuing numerous survivors, six of whom were subsequently taken to the hospital. Diaz also mentioned that 20 houses were completely destroyed, and there are reports of between 11 and 20 individuals still unaccounted for.
Footage aired on Caracol displayed the road between Bogota and Villavicencio, one of the country’s primary freight routes, obstructed by large stones and mud. Several vehicles were seen trapped in the mud.
President Gustavo Petro conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims through a message on Twitter.
Landslides, often triggered by heavy rainfall, pose a significant threat in Colombia, particularly in mountainous regions, and can result in severe damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Efforts are underway to search for the missing individuals and provide support to those affected by the tragedy.
