31 Dec 2012

25 missing after landslide

12:55 pm on 31 December 2012

At least 25 people are missing after a landslide on a road near the south-western city of Neiva in Colombia.

Five people were killed in the incident, which happened on Saturday in Huila province. One was a heavy machine operator who was clearing the road from a previous landslide.

The BBC reports that at least six cars are believed to be buried under tons of mud and rocks.

Hundreds of fire-fighters, paramedics and troops have been sent to help.

There are fears of another landslide in the same area, along the road between Neiva and Florencia.

Operations were suspended on Saturday night due to safety concerns.