At least 10 dead, 15 injured in Colombia landslide

A devastating landslide triggered by heavy flooding has killed at least 10 people and left 15 others injured in northwest Colombia, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The tragedy occurred in the municipality of Bello, located in the Antioquia department near the city of Medellín.

Antioquia’s governor, Andrés Julián Rendón, shared updates on social media platform X, confirming the fatalities and injuries, and warned residents to evacuate as the area remains at high risk for further landslides.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing,” the governor said, as teams comb through mud and debris in search of survivors. Local reports indicate that at least 15 people are still missing following the incident. 

The landslide was caused by flooding in a nearby ravine, leading to a massive flow of mud and rocks that buried homes along a mountain slope. Harrowing images shared by Colombian media show entire houses swallowed by earth, cars coated in thick mud, and Bello’s streets turned into rivers of sludge.

A photo released by Medellín’s disaster management agency depicted the scale of destruction — a car partially buried and a roadway submerged in mud. Social media platforms were flooded with videos and images showing the aftermath of the landslide, with locals wading through flooded streets and attempting to salvage belongings.

The region of Antioquia, located in the mountainous western Andes of Colombia, is highly prone to landslides, particularly during the rainy season. Just last month, a similar incident in the Medellín suburb of Sabaneta claimed the lives of five people.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents in high-risk areas to seek shelter. Rescue workers say time is critical as they continue searching for the missing amid unstable conditions.