QUITO: Ecuadorian authorities on Sunday reported that a devastating landslide in the city of Banos de Agua Santa, located in the central region of the country, claimed the lives of at least six individuals and left an additional 30 people unaccounted for, based on initial assessments.
The Ecuadorean Secretariat for Risk Management characterised the landslide as being of “large-magnitude” in their report.Roberto Luque, Ecuador‘s minister of public works, expressed his condolences on the social media platform X, stating, “My solidarity with all the families that have been affected.”
The landslide was triggered by a severe rainstorm caused by low pressure that affected various regions of Central and South America on Sunday. Several countries issued warnings about the heightened risks of landslides, rock falls, and flooding due to the inclement weather conditions.
In response to the heavy rainfall, El Salvador’s civil protection agency declared a red alert throughout the small nation. Meanwhile, in neighboring Guatemala, the ministry of communications, infrastructure and housing reported that several airlines had to divert flights as a precautionary measure.
Landslide in Ecuador kills at least six, 30 others missing
Picture credit: X@RobertoLuqueN
