This is the horror moment a mountain collapses in Colombia after heavy rain, killing more than 30 people and injuring dozens more.
The landslide occurred at around 4pm local time yesterday as vehicles waited on the road for it to be reopened after it was blocked by falling rocks.
Many of the victims were still sitting in their cars when an avalanche of mud and rocks rolled toward them, burying them.
At least 33 people, mostly children, were killed in the landslide in an indigenous community in northwestern Colombia, the country's vice president said today.
The tragedy occurred on the road between the city of Quibdo, capital of the Choco department, and Medellin.
Footage shared on social media and television channels showed part of a mountain breaking away and falling onto a row of cars as screams could be heard.
Images were also released of members of the police, fire brigade and military who were involved in the search and rescue operation on Friday night and into Saturday.
The landslide occurred at around 4pm local time yesterday as vehicles waited on the road for it to be reopened after it was blocked by falling rocks
Footage of the drama showed it happened so quickly that they had no chance of escaping
Many of the victims were still sitting in their cars when an avalanche of mud and rocks rolled toward them, burying them
The landslide captured on video was one of three landslides within a three-mile stretch of road that occurred in an area called Las Toldas.
At least 35 people were also injured and an unknown number of people are still missing as mud completely engulfed several cars on the road, authorities said.
“The recovery of bodies continues,” the Choco governor said in a statement shared on social media.
“I deeply regret the death of 33 people in this tragedy, mostly children, according to preliminary reports from the territory,” Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez wrote on the social media site X.
The mud and rocks from the mountain are moving quickly towards the vehicles on the road
A truck when it was hit by the landslide on the road between the city of Quibdo, capital of the Choco department, and Medellin
A video showed the aftermath of the tragedy. At least 18 people were killed and dozens injured
A Colombian police specializing in rescue group works during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia, January 13, 2024
A specialized rescue group from Colombian police carries the body of a deceased person during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia, January 13, 2024
A Colombian police specializing in rescue group works during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia, January 13, 2024
Handout image released by the Colombian Police Press Office showing members of police rescue teams searching for bodies in the area of a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia, January 13, 2024
Handout image released by the Colombian Police Press Office showing members of police rescue teams searching for bodies in the area of a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia, January 13, 2024.
A handout photo provided by the National Police shows rescue workers in the area where a landslide occurred on a road near the town of Carmen de Atrato, Choco department, Colombia, January 12, 2024
A handout photo provided by the National Police shows rescue workers carrying a body in the area where a landslide occurred on a road near the town of Carmen de Atrato, Choco department, Colombia, January 12, 2024
Handout image released by the Colombian Army press office showing members of rescue teams carrying a body from the area of a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia, January 12, 2020
A handout image provided by the Colombian Armed Forces shows soldiers and rescue workers gathering in the area where there is a road near the town of Carmen de Atrato, Choco department, Colombia, on January 13, 2024 Landslide came
A Colombian police specializing in rescue group works during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia, January 13, 2024
Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba described the landslides as an “emergency of grave proportions” in a statement as details of the death toll emerged.
One survivor said: “What happened here is a tragedy of enormous proportions.”
“Several lifeless bodies have already been recovered, including women and children.”
“We are transporting several bodies that have been found. “There are also some vehicles that are still trapped and where people are believed to have been sleeping.”
Another eyewitness told local media: “As the mountain fell, some of us fled to a nearby house. There are many dead and injured.”
Firefighters gather during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia, January 13, 2024
A handout image provided by the government of Choco Department (State) on January 13, 2024 shows rescue workers working in the area where a landslide occurred on a road near the city of Carmen de Atrato, Choco Department, Colombia, on January 12, 2024
Handout image released by the Choco Government Press Office showing the area of a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco Department, Colombia, January 12, 2024
Handout image released by the Colombian National Fire Department showing stopped vehicles after a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia, January 12, 2024
Handout image released by the Colombian National Fire Department showing the area of a landslide on the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco Department, Colombia, on January 12, 2024
The number of dead and injured is expected to continue to rise as the search and rescue operation continues.
As part of an air support operation, a helicopter was mobilized to assist emergency responders on the ground.
The landslides in the affected area occurred after several hours of heavy rain.
Colombian President Gustavo Pedro tweeted earlier today: “Every help is available for Choco in this terrible tragedy.”