Tragedy in Colombia: the collapse of a mountain caused at least 34 deaths

An avalanche left a fatal toll at least 34 dead in Colombia. The accident occurred on a busy intermunicipal road in the west of the country, where landslides due to rain had already caused inconvenience. Dozens of people taking shelter from the rain, as well as a line of cars waiting to continue, remained buried in the mud.

The mountain collapse occurred on Friday in a mountainous area along the road that connects Quibdó, capital of the Chocó department, with Medellín, Antioquia department. The National Risk Management Unit initially reported in a statement that 18 people had died and that at least 35 people had been taken to nearby hospitals.

The balance increased by Saturday afternoon, until there were 34 victims. This was reported by the Chocó government, where a unified command post was established to coordinate actions aimed at dealing with the emergency. In a statement, it said that 17 lifeless bodies had been inspected and that 17 others would be transferred to continue with the same task. The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the number of victims.

In the midst of the flood, “many people” had gotten out of their vehicles and he was “sheltered in a house” near the municipality of Carmen de Atrato, where locals distributed food to pass the time. “But unfortunately an avalanche came and buried her”A Chocó government official told AFP.

According to the authorities, there are several landslides that make the work of rescuers and firefighters arriving in the area difficult.

“There is also an appeal for them to arrive by helicopter because there are several landslides, access is difficult”, added the head of government.

Although Colombia is experiencing a dry season, the State Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) had previously reported heavy rains in some departments of the Pacific and Amazon.

In recent days it has rained heavily in that region close to the Pacific, where one of the rainiest jungles in the world is located.

Images shared on social networks and television channels show the moment a piece of mountain collapses, burying a line of cars, while screams can be heard.

Firefighters, rescue workers, soldiers and natives were still working against the clock on Saturday to search for survivors, while relatives of the victims cried inconsolably in the surrounding area.

Previously, the vice president of Colombia, Francia Márquez, in a message published on the social network. There are several minors victims, the number of which has not been specified.

The government had reported the identification of at least 17 people among the bodies remaining in forensic medicine and that arrangements had been made for the accompaniment of family members through a psychosocial support team.

Governor Nubia Córdoba, accompanied by the director of the Risk Management Unit, Víctor Mesa, went by helicopter to the emergency area. “We experienced a very sad weekend for Chocó, our people feel the pain of the victims,” ​​he said.

The Risk Management Unit did not name the cause of the avalanche, but the Defense Department said Friday evening that rain in the area made rescue efforts difficult. Firefighters, Army, Civil Protection and Colombian Aerospace Force personnel continued in the area to carry out search operations.

In a video posted by citizens on It covered much of that mountainous area.

President Gustavo Petro assured on the same social network that Chocó will be given all possible help in “this horrible tragedy”.

The Defense Ministry said the military was making progress in reopening the road amid heavy rains that have made access more difficult to save people trapped alive by landslides.