34 killed as landslide buries bus in Colombia
A landslide in Colombia has killed at least 34 persons after a bus conveying passengers was buried under mud.
The landslide happened in the early hours of Sunday on the road leading to the northern province of Chocó.
Earlier on Monday, Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s president, in a tweet, said 27 bodies had been recovered.
“It is with sadness that I must announce that so far 27 people, including 3 minors, have lost their lives in the tragedy in Pueblo Rico, Risaralda. Solidarity with the families of the victims, they will have comprehensive support from the national government,” Petro tweeted.
Con tristeza debo anunciar que hasta el momento 27 personas, incluyendo 3 menores, han perdido su vida en la tragedia de Pueblo Rico, Risaralda. Solidaridad con las familias de las víctimas, tendrán un acompañamiento integral por parte del Gobierno Nacional.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) December 5, 2022
The country’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) added that a child under seven years was among those killed.
In an update later on Monday, UNGRD said 34 bodies had been recovered.
One of those who died inside the bus was identified as Guillermo Ibargüen.
His son, Andrés, told Caracol News, a Colombian newspaper, that his father helped him escape before being buried by the mud.
He was also said to have helped his wife and daughter escape the bus.
“Dad helped me get out of the bus through a little hole,” Andrés was quoted as saying.
“I had to throw myself down the ravine. When I jumped, the mud had covered everything.
“Part of it was coming down and the bus was a little bit back from that. The bus driver was backing up when it all came crashing down.”
Landslides are not uncommon in Colombia, especially in the rainy season, and mountain roads are often cut off by mud and rocks.