Mudslide Kills At Least 33 in Colombia

At least 33 people have been killed and dozens of others hurt after a mudslide in Colombia, authorities said.

The landslip in the western portion of the country struck a busy municipal road Friday in a mountainous area connecting the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific Province of Choco, according to reports. 

Rescuers and canines from across the country were dispatched to the scene to search for injured, the government said in a statement.

The tragic death toll was communicated by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez on X, who posted there was an “ongoing” search for victims, some of whom are minors.

Mud also completely swallowed several cars on the road, according to officials.

The cause of the mudslide was not immediately known. The country’s Defense Department reported Friday night rain in the area has been making rescue operations difficult.

A video posted on X showed the moment when the side of a mountain slid over the highway, covering some cars. The Associated Press couldn’t verify its authenticity.

The National Disaster Risk Management Unit said initially in a statement that at least 18 people had died and at least 35 injured people were transported to the hospital.  

President Gustavo Petro wrote on X that his government would provide support to deal with the “horrible tragedy.”

“We lived a very sad weekend for Choco, our people feel the pain of the victims,” said Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba Curi.