Landslide in Ecuador kills 27 and destroys 57 homes
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Heavy rains in Alusi, Ecuador cause a landslide killing 27 people as rescue teams continue to search for missing people under the rubble.
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The site of the landslide that was triggered by heavy rains, in Alusi, Ecuador, March 28, 2023. (Reuters)
A landslide hit central Ecuador claiming 27 lives and destroying 57 buildings, according to official figures.
The massive landslide occurred in the city of Alausi in the province of Chimborzo on March 26. On Friday, Ecuador’s National Secretariat for Risk Management reported 17 deaths and 37 injuries. The death toll was reported to have risen to 23 as of March 26. As more bodies were recovered from under the rubble the latest official figure stands at 27 deaths, according to Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office (FGE).
The number of deaths is still growing as rescue missions continue to search for missing people affected by the event.
#ACTUALIZACIÓN | #Chimborazo: 27 fallecidos confirmados tras el derrumbe ocurrido en #Alausí. #FiscalíaEc dispuso el levantamiento de 2 cadáveres más, encontrados hace poco entre los escombros. Una vez identificados serán entregados a sus familiares. #FiscalíaConLasVíctimas
— Fiscalía Ecuador (@FiscaliaEcuador) April 1, 2023
Ecuador's disaster agency had warned of potential landslide danger for a 247-hectare area in Alausi in February which included the affected area. Heavy rains also destroyed roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in Alausi. In the Andean provinces, similar warnings were issued by authorities on Friday due to the imminent risk of floods and landslides.
It is worth noting that the Andes is an area highly susceptible to natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and volcanic activity.
