( Spanish) – The governor of the department of Cundinamarca, Nicolás García Bustos, reported on Tuesday that an avalanche caused by sudden flooding of rivers left at least six dead and several missing.
The avalanche occurred in Quetame, in the municipality of Guyabetal, Cundinamarca, 65 kilometers southeast of Bogotá, Colombia.
In addition to the six deaths reported, six other people were rescued and taken to hospitals, the governor of the department of Cundinamarca, Nicolás García, told Noticias Caracol.
The governor explained that the emergency in Quetame was due to sudden flooding in four streams that collapsed. García added that so far they have counted 25 affected families and that due to the conditions of the area it was not possible to establish a specific number of missing persons.
The authorities are conducting a census.
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, expressed his condolences. “The death that reaches Quetame, Cundinamarca, demonstrates the urgent need to order the territory around the water and free up its spaces in the POT Plans of the municipalities. Mayors and mayors must prioritize this principle. My condolences to the victim families.” wrote on Twitter.
Among the disappeared, reported the governor of this Colombian department, are several minors.
