Ecuador Landslide: Death Toll Revised from 16 to 7, Several More Missing

A massive Ecuador landslide caused by recent rains has claimed the lives of at least seven people.

Ecuador's Risk Management Secretariat initially reported that around 500 individuals were affected, and 16 people were killed by the mud and debris rolling through Alausi's small community Sunday night. However, the authorities later updated the Ecuador landslide death toll to seven fatalities, 23 injuries, and 46 missing.

It did not say why the number was changed, but it did say that 32 individuals were rescued, according to Al Jazeera.

"We have had to witness a terrible tragedy," Transport Minister Dario Herrera told the Reuters news agency in Alausi, located in central Ecuador about 317km (197 miles) south of the capital, Quito.

"The first thing is to attend to and evacuate people from the houses," Herrera said.

The accident, which also caused damage to the Pan-American Highway, was reported to have affected 500 individuals and 163 houses, ABC News reported.

Some of the injured were brought to local hospitals, according to Chimborazo governor Ivan Vinueza.

After authorities issued an evacuation order due to the threat of additional landslides, they decided to rescind it a few hours later.

It is estimated that the landslide is 150 meters (490 feet) wide and 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) long. Locals told the media they felt earthquakes on the mountain before it happened. Several structures and trees were hauled away.

Half a dozen different cities sent firefighters to the scene to assist. More than a dozen rescue workers gathered at the edge of the landslide and removed debris.

Residents Flee Their Homes Following Massive Ecuador Landslide

People in the nation may be seen leaving their homes with the help of neighbors in footage captured by cameras connected to the emergency service network, said The Telegraph Herald. Many people were also loading their cars with appliances and other household items.

The emergency services organization reported that the landslide cut off the water supply to 60% of the region.

Meanwhile, several schools had built a shelter, and online learning would be implemented at some institutions, according to President Guillermo Lasso's communications office.

A State of Emergency Was Already Declared Earlier this Month Before a Massive Ecuador Landslide Happened

In the wake of recent harsh weather, President Guillermo Lasso announced a state of emergency for 14 regions earlier this month.

The Andean nation is struggling to cope with the monsoon, which has claimed the lives of twenty-two individuals since the beginning of the year.

Lasso stated on Twitter that firefighters were sent to help people, affirming that the government was "totally active" in assisting the impacted areas.

Since the beginning of the year, torrential rains have caused over a thousand catastrophic incidents, including flooding and mudslides, which have damaged over 6,900 and destroyed 72 dwellings, as reported by SNGR.

A powerful earthquake hit the states of El Oro and Azuay earlier this month, killing at least 13 people and injuring at least 126.

At least 24 people perished in floods caused by heavy rains in February 2022 in Quito. La Gasca in the city was flooded at a rate of 75 liters per square meter, according to a statement released at the time.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Rescue efforts continue in Ecuador landslide - From Associated Press