At least 14 dead in Colombian landslide following heavy rain

© Getty Rescuers work removing debris during the search of victims after a landslide caused by heavy rains in Pereira, Risaralda department, Colombia, on February 8, 2022. – The landslide left 7 dead and 29 injured in the Pereira neighbourhood on Tuesday, due to heavy rains in recent days, according to authorities. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

The early morning landslide in Dosquebredas followed torrential rain in the surrounding coffee-growing province of Risalda.

Rescue teams were searching the mud for survivors.

“A very loud noise scared us. We went out and saw a piece of the mountain on top of the houses,” taxi driver Dubernei Hernandez, 42, told the AFP news agency.

“I went to that place and it was a disaster, with people trapped.”

Hernandez said he helped dig out two bodies and one survivor. He said at least five homes were buried by the mud.

Authorities evacuated dozens of nearby homes amid fears of more landslides as the Otun river overflowed.

“We are currently managing the entire evacuation perimeter because we still detect soil instability,” Alvaro Arias, government secretary in Risaralda, told Blu Radio.

© Provided by Al Jazeera People run in panic after warnings of another landslide [Luis Robayo/AFP]Landslides are common in Colombia due to the mountainous terrain, frequent heavy rains, and poor or informal house construction.

The country’s most recent large landslide disaster was in the city of Mocoa in 2017, when more than 320 people were killed.

At least 14 dead in Colombian landslide following heavy rain (msn.com)