Quito-. Authorities in the city of Baños de Agua Santa, in the Ecuadorian province of Tungurahua, are carrying out a population census today to determine the number of people missing due to the rains there.
According to the mayor of that tourist city, Marlon Guevara, the number continues to increase and the exact number of people whose whereabouts are unknown is unknown.
Guevara specified that until now there have been 13 deaths in the sector after the landslides that occurred there and pointed out that the majority will be buried this afternoon.
Likewise, the Risk Management Secretariat (SGR) reported 27 injuries and more than a thousand people evacuated.
Last Sunday, when the landslide occurred, the inhabitants of the village celebrated Father’s Day with different activities in their homes, walking or working in tourist ventures.
Neighbors have warned that there were even tourists in the area and that is why they do not know the number of people who may be missing.
It is estimated that more than 500 rescuers are helping in the search efforts, with the support of police, firefighters from seven cities and the military.
According to the SGR, a total of 1,283 people have been affected by the force of the rains in recent days in 35 cities in 13 provinces of the Andean country.
Although the most impacted jurisdictions are the Andean Tungurahua and Chimborazo, as well as the Amazonian Morona Santiago and Napo.
In the last four days, the most recurrent natural events have been landslides with 39.2 percent of the total emergencies, floods and landslides, the institution stated.
