At least four people were killed and 19 went missing after a mudslide hit the town of Corinto in southwestern Colombia on Tuesday, the National Police said.
The Paila River that passes the town overflowed and flooded the town’s urban center with mud and debris.
Almost 250 homes were affected by the flood, the governor’s office said. More than 20 homes washed away, according to newspaper El Tiempo.
The national government’s disaster management team has been sent to the region after a call from the local authorities.
I do not have a record that something as bad as this has ever happened in the municipality, but we Corinteños will prevail with the support of the Government of Cauca, the National Government and all relief agencies.
Corinto Mayor Edward Garcia
Local police, the fire department, soldiers and Red Cross workers offered the initial relief.
Hasta el último minuto ayudaremos a nuestros compatriotas en Corinto #Cauca Nos unimos a labores de atención de emergencia pic.twitter.com/kKcxAPi2QN
— TC. Virgilio Forero (@GrupoPONALSAR) November 8, 2017
#Corinto Hombres de la @Ejercito_Div3 ayudan a este hombre que camina entre el lodo y las piedras con su mascota tras avalancha. pic.twitter.com/ncDXj1NAoK
— Karen L. Gamba (@Karenl_Gamba) November 8, 2017
President Juan Manuel Santos expressed his solidarity with the town on Wednesday and called on local leaders and citizens to follow security protocol related the ongoing rainy season.
Nos solidarizamos con las familias afectadas por desbordamiento del río La Paila, en Corinto, @OAGRD_Cauca ya está al frente de la emergencia. Pedí a equipo de @UNGRD que viaje mañana a primera hora para prestar apoyo en la zona.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) November 8, 2017
Hago un llamado para que autoridades departamentales y municipales activen sus planes de emergencia, para hacer frente a la ola invernal que afecta varias regiones del país. Pido a la población acoger recomendaciones y seguir protocolos.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) November 8, 2017