Disasters & Accidents

Search continues after at least 15 killed in Peru landslides

Lima, Feb 7 (EFE).- Search-and-rescue efforts were continuing on Tuesday after landslides in the southern Peruvian department of Arequipa left at least 15 dead and damaged hundreds of homes.

In its latest report, the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) said several rain-triggered mud and rock slides – known in that Andean country as “huaicos” – had caused 15 deaths, left 20 injured and two missing, damaged 310 homes and destroyed 10 other residences.

Monday’s landslides also caused damage to a health facility and three kilometers (1.85 miles) of a rural road.

That emergency management agency, which said the landslides also damaged the medical station in the Secocha mining district, reported that 12 of those killed were area residents and three others died in a traffic accident.

The “huaicos” affected various towns and villages in Camana province, particularly the Mariano Nicolas Valcarcel district, which is under a state of emergency.

The mayor of that district, William Alvarado, told Efe Monday that three of the 15 fatalities were minors. He added that the other residents have been relocated to a safe area due to the risk of more landslides.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte traveled Tuesday to the affected area along with Defense Minister Jorge Chavez, Transport and Communications Minister Paola Pierina and the head of Indeci, the president’s office said on Twitter.

The Defense Ministry, for its part, said 4.5 tons of humanitarian aid has been delivered thus far, part of a 61-ton aid package destined for 1,280 affected people.

A team of 10 Health Ministry professionals also will travel to the affected area to deliver 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of medicine, while seven Indeci technicians will provide assistance to those who suffered injuries or damage to their homes.

Besides the affected towns in southern Peru, torrential rains in recent days have caused damage to homes and roads in the Viñac and Catahuasi districts of Yauyos province, part of the central coastal region of Lima. EFE

pbc/mc

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