Massive landslide in Guatemala leaves 600 people missing

A huge landslide, triggered by heavy downpours, collapsed onto Santa Catarina Pinula town, Guatemala on October 2, 2015. 30 people have been reported dead so far, and hundreds have gone missing. Rescue teams are actively sweeping the grounds in search of survivors.

Heavy rainfall on the evening of October 2 are thought to have triggered the landslide by sweeping boulders and mud over a number of houses in the town, media reports.

Video credit: Prensa Libre tv

About 125 homes have been devastated, leading to an estimate of about 600 people missing, according to Alejandro Maldonado, head of Guatemalan disaster agency CONRED.

Part of Santa Catarina Pinula town was completely covered by a large pile of mud, earth and debris. 25 people have been reported injured while 34 have been pulled out alive from the mud.

Video credit: wochit Latin America

A number of rescue workers were out in field until late night, searching the area looking for survivors and recovering bodies under piles of debris. 

The landslide was among the worst ones in the recent history of landslides in Guatemala, and can, by its severity be compared to a landslide in southwestern Guatemala from October 2005, that completely buried the Panabaj village. Hundreds of people have died on the occasion and, unfortunately, a large number of bodies have never been recovered.

Featured image: Massive landslide in Guatemala, October 2, 2015. Image credit: Prensa Libre tv