At least 48 dead, dozens injured in Colombia landslide

A landslide sent mud and water crashing onto homes in a town in Colombia’s northwest mountains on Monday, killing at least 48 people and injuring dozens, officials said. Most residents were sleeping when the landslide hit the municipality of Salgar around 3:00 am, burying a large area in mud and debris. Rescue teams, including search dogs, were being mobilized in the area. President Juan Manuel Santos, who is enroute to visit the town, said via Twitter that Colombia’s government will provide aid to the victims. He announced that each family affected – 30 in all – would receive $7,000, and promised infrastructure improvements to try to prevent such disasters in the future.

The earth slid into the course of the La Liboriana ravine, then the dammed water caused an avalanche which destroyed everything in its path.

regional police commander Jose Angel Mendoza

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