At least 11 killed in landslide in northwest Colombia

Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 03:40:11|Editor: yan
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BOGOTA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed, four others wounded in a landslide following heavy rains on Thursday in a neighborhood of the municipality of Marquetalia in northwest Colombia, said local authorities.

Another 28 people were rescued, said the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).

According to the UNGRD, the landslide occurred early Thursday morning, killing four males and seven females. Four of the victims were minors.

"Work between the government and the municipality is ongoing to help those affected, and to continue the identification, search and rescue operations," said Guillermo Escobar, deputy director of the disaster management at UNGRD.

Humanitarian aid, including food, blankets and mattresses have been sent to help inhabitants who have lost their homes.

UNGRD authorities said that continued rains have brought search and rescue operations to a halt at present, as the terrain is unsafe.

President Ivan Duque sent his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

"It's a painful situation that hurts us," he said, added that Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez will go to the area and work with the UNGRD to see how the national government can support local government and the families affected.

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