At least 33 individuals, including numerous children, have tragically lost their lives in a devastating landslide caused by heavy rainfall in northwestern Colombia, according to officials. The Vice President of Colombia, Francia Marquez, expressed deep regret for the loss of lives in the accident, which occurred on Friday afternoon and buried a major roadway connecting the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific province of Choco.

Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate and save any survivors who may still be trapped. The Colombian police, along with a specialized rescue group, have mobilized to search for survivors and recover bodies from the affected area.

The mudslide also led to numerous injuries on a busy highway, as multiple vehicles were engulfed in mud. Some individuals are still reported missing. Authorities in Medellin have revealed that as of early Saturday, 17 bodies have been transported to the city, with three of them identified by forensic examiners. However, no names have been released at this time.

Due to several road closures, rescue teams and firefighters are experiencing difficulty in reaching the most severely affected region. In response, the police have announced their collaboration with emergency and relief organizations to assist affected individuals along the Quibdo-Medellin road. President Gustavo Petro has also pledged all available help to Choco in the wake of this tragic incident.

The landslide comes after over 24 hours of relentless rainfall in Choco, which lies on the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for its vast tropical forest. Social media footage captured the heartbreaking moment when a large section of land detached from a mountain and fell onto several moving vehicles on the flooded road.

Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) has closed the affected roadway, ensuring the safety of motorists and preventing further accidents. It is worth noting that a similar landslide in the same part of Colombia claimed the lives of 27 people in December 2022, trapping them in a bus and other vehicles.

While many regions in Colombia are grappling with a severe drought, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies has issued warnings about the risk of heavy rains in the Amazon and in areas bordering the Pacific. These warnings emphasize the need for increased preparedness and vigilance to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

As the search and rescue operation continues, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families who have been affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.