Landslide in Colombia kills dozens

According to international reports, over 50 people lost their lives in a landslide in Antioquia province in north-west Colombia.

President Juan Manuel Santos said the authorities do not know how many people are still missing, after heavy rains caused the river Liboriana, in the town of Salgar, to burst its banks, triggering a landslide.

According to the BBC, much of the village of Santa Margarita, south-west of the provincial capital, Medellin, was swept away when the disaster hit early on Monday. Since then rescue teams and residents have got together to dig through rubble in the hope of finding survivors.

After visiting the scene of the disaster, Santos declared a state of emergency and promised to rebuild the houses.

“We cannot bring the dead back, which we regret deeply, and we will support the families (of the victims),” he said. “But we have to move on from this tragedy, and look ahead with courage and fortitude.”

The president added that the priority was now the hospital. Earlier on Monday, gas and electricity services in the town were suspended as a precautionary measure.

The Colombian Air Force and police have sent helicopters to the area with more than 160 soldiers working in the emergency effort and some 100 people evacuated from high-risk areas and more rain is expected in the area in the next few days.