Colombia landslide leaves 18 dead

A landslide triggered by heavy rains in northwest Colombia killed at least 18 people and injured around 30 on Friday (January 12), local authorities said.

The landslide occurred in the Choco region of Colombia on a highway near the town of Carmen de Atrato.

Governor of Antioquia, Andres Julian Rendon, said search and rescue teams had been dispatched to the region and many victims were trapped under the soil.

Vice President Francia Marquez wrote on X that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

An announcement from the Emergency Center said it received reports of landslides simultaneously, and it was noted that many more victims could be under the soil than initially thought.

(With inputs from agencies)