Landslide in Ecuador leaves 16 dead, dozens missing 

A massive landslide in central Ecuador left on Sunday at least 16 people dead and several others missing, authorities said on Monday. 

The landslide took place in Alausi, in Ecuador’s Chimborazo province, about 137 miles (220 kilometers) south of Quito at around 10 p.m. The landslide is estimated to be about 150 meters (490 feet) wide and 0.4 miles (700 meters) long. 

The landslide buried more than 163 homes and swept away trees and buildings. More than 23 individuals were injured. They were taken to nearby hospitals, according to the governor of Chimborazo, Ivan Vinueza.  

Tragic news from Ecuador as 16 people die in a mountain village landslide, with at least 7 missing and a dozen injured. Heavy rains and warnings of fault lines preceded the disaster. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors. #Ecuador #Landslide #Alausí #Chimborazo pic.twitter.com/WaLY8Dhjrb

— Volcaholic 🇰🇪 🇬🇧 🌋 (@CarolynnePries1) March 27, 2023

Additionally, at least 30 people have been rescued so far and 50 others remain missing, according to Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretariat. Firefighters from nearby cities were dispatched to help with the rescue efforts and search for any survivors in the rubble.

“We have had to witness a terrible tragedy,” Transport Minister Dario Herrera told Reuters. “The first thing is to attend to and evacuate people from the houses.” 

Earlier this month, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in 14 provinces that were affected by heavy rains and an earthquake. 

Officials had previously asked people to evacuate the area after several landslides had taken place and cracks from a fault line had begun to develop in the mountain around two months ago. However, not all of the residents decided to evacuate. 

Lasso’s communications office said shelters had been set up for those whose homes were affected and some schools would be switching to online classes.