cFour people disappeared when a large amount of earth and rock slid in the Chaguazá village, in the municipality of Labranzagrande., Boyacá. After days of searching, authorities decided to suspend work in the area.
The avalanche occurred on Sunday, June 9. As the hours passed, personnel from the Fire Department, Civil Defense, Red Cross, Army and Disaster Risk Management headed to the scene to evaluate the situation.
Upon receiving the report of the disappearance of four people, who were in that rural area, search and rescue teams were available to try to locate them.. Trained dogs were also part of the operations. However, the efforts were unsuccessful.
Landslide in Labranzagrande, Boyacá.
Photo:National Fire Department Colombia | X: @DNBomberosCol
In addition, professionals from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) identified “the presence of a regional fault and the possibility of rock falls, due to the heavy rainfall in the area,” reported the National Directorate of Disaster Risk. Colombian firefighters.
After analyzing the emergency, it was concluded that this “represents a risk for the personnel carrying out operations, so it was decided to suspend search and rescue activities“Firefighters added.
The bodies of the four victims were declared “non-recoverable,” according to a lifeguard told the local media. Boyacá Seven Days.
Who are the victims of the landslide in Boyacá?
The victims of the landslide were identified as:
- Leonidas Hurtado.
- Edgar Maldonado.
- José Ramiro León Socha.
- María Luz Patricia Castro.
“Terrible episode. The magnitude of the disaster is impressive, it is terrifying to see it,” said Nelson León Castro, son of María Luz and José Ramiro..
José Ramiro León and María Luz Patricia Castro, two of the missing.
Photo:Facebook: Stella Poveda
He also reiterated his gratitude to the emergency personnel who looked for his parents: “They gave everything they could. (…) This is impossible and we could be affecting the lives of other people. There is already a tragedy and suddenly they could present more”.
The mayor of Labranzagrande, Jorge Enrique Vanegas, expressed solidarity with the relatives and also thanked the authorities and community that collaborated with the search.
Landslide in Labrazagrande.
Photo:Labrazagrande Mayor’s Office
“With deep pain, we offer a deep greeting of condolences to the families of the four missing people. May the Almighty accompany them at all times and grant them relief in the face of such a difficult life experience,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities have evacuated other families who lived near the landslide area due to the latent risk.
SEBASTIÁN GARCÍA C.
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