Rescuers Discover Seven Missing People Buried After Landslide
In the Toldas sector of El Carmen de Atrato on the Quibdó – Medellín road, hundreds of rescuers worked through heavy rain to find the seven people who were still buried underground following a tragic landslide. The collapse of the house of married couple Rocío Mazo and Alberto Olaya has now resulted in an official death toll of 38 people.
The joint efforts of the Army, National Police, firefighters, Civil Defense, Indigenous Guard, and Mining Rescue teams have been working to locate the missing individuals. The remains of retired professor Mazo were among those discovered on Monday. Mazo and Olaya were known for opening their home to dozens of people seeking shelter during severe weather.
According to Forensic Medicine, 35 bodies have been received following the disaster, with 33 fully identified and 23 already released to relatives for the funeral process. A total of 20 individuals have been reported injured and transported to care centers in El Carmen de Atrato, Ciudad Bolívar (Antioquia), and Medellín.
Authorities have provided different lines of care for those affected as well as psychosocial support for the relatives of the victims and survivors. In-person care is taking place at the El Jardín de Quibdó Coliseum and support hotlines have been made available for the public.
The tragedy comes following a history of forced relocation, as Mazo and Olaya were ordered to abandon their old home due to road construction. Niece Luz Estella Rueda explained that the couple’s home was originally in the area prioritized for paving the road axis, resulting in their relocation one kilometer away.
As the community remains in mourning, a collective wake for the victims is scheduled for Monday, with Vice President Francia Márquez set to attend.