At least 23 people have been killed in a landslide in Ecuador. Authorities said heavy rains in Quito on Monday caused the landslide. This information was given in a report of CNN.
Quito Mayor Santiago Garderas told reporters local time on Tuesday (February 1) that at least 47 injured in the crash besides killed. The condition of the two is serious. However, seven people have already been released from the hospital.
The death toll could rise further, he said. Because rescue work is still going on to remove the rubble.
“We escaped through the wall to escape the landslide,” said Alba Kotakachi, a local resident. He also removed his two young daughters from the house. He also said that search was on for the missing persons.
Massive landslides have occurred due to heavy rains and storms. The mayor also said that such rainfall has not been seen in the capital before in two decades.
Heavy rains caused rocks to fall from the mountains in northern Quito to the lowlands. Several houses were destroyed. Many trees and electricity poles fell down. Large areas were cut off from electricity. Rains are still continuing in various parts of the north.