LANDSLIDE DISASTER IN COLOMBIA OCCURS DURING COLOMBIA’S WORST RAINY SEASON IN DECADES Walter Hays, Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction, University of North Carolina, USA 1900 GMT DECEMBER 6, 2010

LOCATION

Weeks of heavy rain across the country had already caused floods and landslides that killed more than 200 people and displaced thousands prior to Dec. 6th.

The December 6th landslide disaster, which was triggered by heavy rain, happened near Giraldo, 80km (50 miles) north of the city of Medellin.

A mountainside collapsed in the Antioquia province on Monday, December 6th, sweeping away houses and burying villages and people under tons of rock and mud.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Although a nearly hopeless task, local residents initially used their bare hands to dig into tons of mud that engulfed some 30 houses able to save seven people.

Red Cross sniffer dogs have identified locations where victims are buried, but officials say it could take several days to dig them out.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

The rescue effort is being hampered by continued heavy rainfall and the increased risk of additional landslides