Salgar: Floodwaters, heavy with mud, are hampering rescue and recovery efforts in the devastated town of Salgar, where Monday’s landslide killed at least 52 people. Survivors are in shock and relatives of the dead in this northwest Colombian town are grieving.
The Houses after deadly Landslide on May 18, 2015
One victim said, “There were deaths in the family, and a sister who lived here where we are now. The husband, the son, they’re gone. Among cousins, and uncles, 14 people are gone, and friends who were like brothers from forever.”
Officials say the landslide was produced by heavy rains which caused a ravine to burst, unleashing an avalanche of mud, water and debris.
Residents are digging through the sludge, searching for survivors, while at the town’s cemetery, anxious families are awaiting any news of their loved ones.
“We haven’t been able to find my sister, my nephews. Now they can only find one, but there are four of them.”
…and making matters worse… more rain is expected.
Ventuno