Six dead in Ecuador as heavy rains trigger landslide | Climate news

In recent days there have been heavy rains throughout Central and South America.

At least six people were killed and 19 others injured in Ecuador when heavy rainstorms triggered a landslide.

The deadly landslide occurred on Sunday in the town of Banos de Agua Santa in central Ecuador, according to a report by the National Secretariat for Risk Management.

The agency had initially reported that 30 other people were missing, but later stated that they had been located.

Videos and images online showed a flood of mud and debris rolling down a hill in Banos and spilling over a highway. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery to clear the roads.

Banos Mayor Miguel Guevara urged residents to avoid dangerous roads and said authorities were working to clear the area along the north coast to facilitate the search for more victims.

UPDATE | Further information on equipment and machinery from @riesgos_ec j @ObrasPublicasEc in the areas affected by Baños de Agua Santa.#ElNuevoEcuadorResuelve pic.twitter.com/kE8fvFfRRU

— Presidency of Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@Presidencia_Ec) June 16, 2024

Translation: UPDATE | Equipment and machinery from the National Secretariat for Risk Management and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works continue to arrive in the affected areas of Banos de Agua Santa.

Known among tourists as a jumping-off point for adventures in the Amazon jungle, Banos has long been a draw for travelers exploring Ecuador’s volcanoes and craters. It lies about 135 km (84 mi) south of the capital city of Quito, by air or 186 km (115 mi) by road.

In Chambo canton, the Ecuadorian military said its personnel worked with rescue workers to evacuate citizens and their belongings after a river in the region overflowed its banks due to heavy rains.

Roberto Luque, Ecuador’s public works minister, said the operation of three hydroelectric power plants had been affected by the storm.

“My solidarity goes out to all the families affected,” Luque wrote in a post on X.

In recent days, parts of Central and South America have been hit by heavy rains, forcing many countries to issue warnings of landslides, rockfalls and floods.

Two children died in a landslide in El Salvador earlier this week. The civil protection authority declared the small country on red alert because there could be heavy rains there.

In neighboring Guatemala, the Ministry of Communications said airlines had diverted flights.