Estimated death toll of Antioquia landslide lowered to 10

Authorities in the northwestern Colombian department of Antioquia lowered the estimated death toll of the landslide that hit the village of Giraldo on September 27.

Initially, authorities said 30 people were buried under the 3.5 million cubic feet of earth, but on Sunday they lowered this number to ten.

The initial number was based on witness statements, but after only ten people were reported missing, the authorities decided to lower the number. Disaster Prevention spokesman Pablo Puerto does not rule out the possibility of more victims.

Rescue workers have so far been able to recover two bodies from the massive rubble. Ongoing heavy rains and risks for new landslides are hampering efforts to recover the victims and reopen the road connecting Medellin to the northwestern Uraba region.

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