Rains trigger deadly landslide in Ecuador
STORY: Multiple people were killed and dozens went missing in Ecuador, after a massive landslide from heavy rains swept down parts of the city of Alausi Sunday into Monday.
Local resident Angel Izurieta recalls the moment the mudslide hit his house.
“I went to bed and then felt a strong tremor. It shook the house very hard. Then I heard a very loud noise, and that's when the hill collapsed."
On Monday morning, rescue teams searched rubble for survivors – and officials said at least 32 people were rescued.
Witnesses say some residential areas were completely buried by earth.
A sports stadium that stood before the weekend – had transformed into rubble.
Transport minister, Dario Herrera:
“We are standing here on top of 20 metres of rocky material, the size of a stadium, where a stadium used to stand. We are unable to calculate how much material slid down, an initial figure. What we have here but it's definitely a great tragedy here for our brothers and sisters in Alausi.”
Ecuador’s roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are frequently damaged by heavy rains.
Its president Guillermo Lasso earlier this month declared a state of emergency in the 14 provinces worst hit by precipitation, as well as a strong earthquake a week ago.
