[UPDATE] Peru Landslide Death Toll Climbs to 2, 8 Others Rescued; Pres. Pedro Castillo Visits the Site

The death toll of the recent Peru landslide climbed to two on Wednesday, as the rescue efforts in the site of the tragedy continue.

Jose Rivas, the spokesman for the police rescue team, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that they recovered at least two people from the rubble, one that belonged to a man, and one that belonged to a one-month-old baby girl.

"Most probably he was trying to protect the girl and the landslide buried both of them," Rivas underscored. The spokesman also further noted that the two bodies were found in the rubble of a market.

The authorities did not further on the details of the two, including their identities.

Peru Landslide: 8 Rescued From the Rubble

The authorities rescued at least eight individuals in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The said development was confirmed by Peruvian Defense Minister Jose Luis Gavidia, claiming that the said people rescued were unharmed from the rubble. However, Gavidia did not mention the site where the said people were rescued.

Gavidia also noted that there were eight others who remained missing following the landslide. The said number was much lower than the previous statistics of 15 missing people the defense minister mentioned earlier on Wednesday, according to Reuters per Toronto Sun.

Gavidia emphasized that three children were among the missing people reported as the landslide unfolded in Peru's La Libertad region.

The developments on the search and rescue in Peru came as police and fire brigades continue their search in hope of finding more survivors, according to Toronto Sun.

Peru Pres. Pedro Castillo Urges Residents to Move Other Place

On Wednesday, Peru President Pedro Castillo urged the inhabitants near the collapsed hillside to move to other places, contending that the "force of nature" cannot be controlled when the place with a high risk of danger is occupied, TeleSur reported.

"I understand the need, but we must organize ourselves since you cannot live at risk. We can build roads, schools, but we must bear in mind that the force of nature comes and devastates us," Castillo stressed during his visit.

The President then emphasized that the residents will be supported by the state "100 percent" if ever they found a place to relocate.

Castillo furthered that the municipal, regional, and Peruvian government is committed to organizing the relocation of the families of a community located near the river where another landslide could occur, per TeleSur.

The Peruvian president then revealed that a new army contingent will join the search and rescue operation in the site and the Council of Ministers will declare the town of Retamas in a state of emergency to receive the necessary help it needs.

It can be recalled that the landslide in Peru unfolded on Tuesday, as it buried around 60 to 80 homes when a hill suddenly collapsed in La Libertad.

On Wednesday, the National Institute of Civil Defense highlighted that the landslide was a result of heavy rains.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Landslide Hits Peruvian Town of Retamas; 60 Houses Buried, 15 Trapped - WION