April 1 (UPI) — A massive mudslide in Colombia killed scores of people and trapped some 40,000 others in the southern city of Mocoa after the main road was destroyed.
Heavy rain pounded the region for days, causing the incident. The mudslide destroyed everything in its path, including homes, businesses and the city’s hospital.
The government put the death toll at 93, while the Red Cross said 127, but both groups said many more people were injured or missing. Aerial photos show a large swath of the city buried and roads coated in brown as the mud flowed in.
Colombian President Juan Miguel Santos said five military planes carrying 150 soldiers were dispatched to Mocoa to help with rescue and clean-up efforts. Santos said he planned to visit the area.
