Rescuers looked for more than 60 individuals reported missing on Monday after a landslip in southern Ecuador that at least seven people died in was caused by months of heavy rain.
In the village of Alausi, located in the province of Chimborazo, about 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of Quito, the mudslide occurred overnight on Sunday into Monday, burying scores of homes and wounding 23, according to officials.
Residents were shocked and many were in tears as they waited for news Monday as rescuers combed through the rubble looking for survivors trapped beneath twisted metal sheets and splintered tree trunks.
“Five are buried here,” Manuel Upai, a 40-year-old laborer said referring to relatives of his as he stared at the muddy ground.
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Alausi, a village of some 45,000 people surrounded by green hills, also saw several public buildings hit by the avalanche, which damaged roads and closed three schools.
“I managed to escape with about 15 minutes to spare,” survivor Jose Agualsaca told local TV network Teleamazonas, saying he was rushing to get things out of his house before the mud came.
Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso said on Twitter that firefighters from neighboring areas had been rushed to the village to help people affected by the tragedy.
He urged all citizens to evacuate the affected areas.
The government mobilized the national police, armed forces, the health ministry, and the Red Cross to help with the rescue efforts.
Story adapted from Punch
