Death Toll in Landslide in Colombia Rises to 290
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The death toll in the landslide that hit the western Colombian city of Mocoa in the Putumayo province has reached 290 people, legal medical authorities said on Wednesday.
The National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences said in a statement that 290 people had died and so far 161 of the victim's bodies had been returned to their families.
According to the latest report from the Colombian Red Cross, at least 262 people had been injured, Sputnik reported.
Earlier this week, reports put the number of victims at 273.
On Saturday night, heavy rains in the country led to rivers bursting banks and hundreds of homes flooded with mud in Mocoa, bordering Ecuador and Peru.
The landslide totally destroyed three districts and severely affected 14 others. About 2,500 personnel of security and emergency services have been sent on the ground.
President Juan Manuel Santos, who arrived at the site to coordinate search and rescue operation, announced a public emergency regime.
