7 Killed in Mudslides in Colombia, 15 Others Missing
Heavy rains caused an earthen avalanche Saturday in southern Colombia, killing at least seven people and engulfing an ambulance that was carrying 10 others, officials said.
Fifteen people were still missing, and helicopters were dispatched to rescue 200 people who were stranded, Narino state Gov. Jesus Rosero said.
The avalanche destroyed 40 houses in El Guabo, a small town near the border with Ecuador.
“An ambulance passing through the area with 10 people inside was covered by the avalanche,” Rosero said. “Of those, four were saved and six others are missing, including three children.”
More than 100 people have died since August as a result of the rains--the heaviest in the South American country in 30 years. Forecasters said more rain is expected.
Torrential rains in neighboring Venezuela 10 days ago triggered massive floods and mudslides that have killed from 5,000 to 30,000 people, officials estimate.
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