A landslide in a mining location in northwest Colombia killed at least 11 people and injured a dozen more, authorities reported.
According to the Antioquia Risk Management Agency (Dagran), an “unspecified” number of individuals remain missing as a result of the landslide in Abriaqu municipality, which was triggered by heavy rains.
According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, the majority of the deceased are believed to be miners who were working at an unauthorized gold mine that was covered by the landslide in an unpopulated area in Abriaqu.
Authorities are en route to the scene to assist emergency services and examine potential infrastructure damage, according to Dagran.
“We are once again saddened by this scenario. We predicted last Monday that these events would continue to occur, and that while we cannot prevent them because they are natural occurrences, we can prevent loss of life “Jaime Gomez, the director of Dagran, stated.
“People who reside or have activities on the banks of rivers should avoid these tributaries during the wet season. Risk management is a shared responsibility for all Colombians, and it is up to each of us to do our part to safeguard lives “Gomez stated.
Following what he described as a “painful tragedy,” Antioquia Governor Anibal Gaviria said on Twitter that he will meet with his cabinet and then travel to Abriaqu.
On Thursday, President Ivan Duque extended his condolences to the victims’ families and said that relief agencies are assisting the disaster agency in the search.
“We provide the essential assistance to those who have been affected by the recent torrential rains, which have resulted in this catastrophe. We will continue to keep a close eye on the situation “Duque sent out a tweet.
According to a foreign news website, landslides are widespread in Colombia due to the country’s mountainous geography, regular severe rainfall, and shoddy or improvised housing construction.
According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, the rainy season, which began on March 16, has already wreaked havoc on more than 9,000 individuals across the country.
A landslide in the western city of Pereira killed 15 people and injured 35 others in early February.
Mudslides killed at least 254 people in the southern city of Mocoa in 2017.
