At least 11 people have died following a landslide in northwestern Colombia, local officials confirmed on Wednesday, a day after heavy rainfall triggered a wave of mud and debris that engulfed densely populated neighborhoods, burying around a dozen homes.
Rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue to search for survivors in Medellin, Colombia’s second-largest city, and the nearby mountainous town of Bello, where at least 15 people remain missing.
In Bello, authorities quickly converted schools, community centers, and even a swimming pool into temporary shelters, which now house over 1,300 people displaced or unable to return to their homes due to severe flooding, according to Mayor Lorena González Ospina.
The death toll rose to 11, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutiérrez confirmed, as search and rescue teams in Bello utilized dogs, drones, and other equipment to locate survivors. Meanwhile, officials in Medellin ordered the immediate evacuation of over 60 homes deemed structurally unsafe.
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Landslides frequently occur in this lush region of Colombia, particularly during the rainy season from April to November when heavy rains loosen the soil.
Tuesday morning, nearly two straight days of torrential rain caused rivers and streams to overflow, catching many residents off guard as they slept. The floodwaters swept through streets, carrying tons of debris, cars, and personal belongings.
The Colombian Weather Service forecasted light rain for Wednesday, significantly milder than the heavy downpours earlier in the week.