More than 40 dead or missing after landslide hits San Salvador volcano, El Salvador
Image credit: Bomberos El Salvador
A large landslide triggered by heavy rains hit the northeastern flank of the San Salvador volcano in El Salvador late October 29 (LT), 2020.
The slide hit the village of Los Angelitos on the slopes of the volcano, burying 60 homes and damaging 75. Los Angelitos is some 20 km (12 miles) north of the capital.
The country's Civil Protection Agency said the landslide carved a route approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) in length through the village, sweeping mud, rocks and tree trunks in its path.
At least 7 people have died and 35 others were suspected missing on October 30.
The Environment Ministry said weather station in the area registered 140 mm (5.5 inches) of rain in 24 hours to October 30.
Rex del equipo de caninos de la @FUERZARMADASV, trabajando para rescatar personas afectadas por el deslave. pic.twitter.com/bbLat2m1sF
— René Francis Merino Monroy (@merino_monroy) October 30, 2020
0450 horas logramos el rescate del tercer cuerpo de la familia soterrada en la Comunidad Los Angelitos 2 de Nejapa. Un esfuerzo conjunto entre la @FUERZARMADASV, @marioduran, @PROCIVILSV, @BomberosSV, @CvsOficial @CruzRojaSal.@Director_PNC,@Director_PNC. pic.twitter.com/wRzmRwLrPf
— René Francis Merino Monroy (@merino_monroy) October 30, 2020
Realizamos un rastreo en Nejapa, nos desplazamos desde la zona de impacto hasta llegar a la carretera, donde hacemos una búsqueda de víctimas entre los escombros. pic.twitter.com/F7nDP4hgGr
— Bomberos El Salvador (@BomberosSV) October 30, 2020
Con herramientas para intervenir, hemos recorrido un estimado de 3 km en Nejapa, el objetivo es buscar víctimas en el tramo afectado. pic.twitter.com/wibp6GnwNS
— Bomberos El Salvador (@BomberosSV) October 30, 2020
Somos más de 1,000 elementos de diversas instituciones, los que realizamos tareas de búsqueda y rescate de víctimas en Nejapa. pic.twitter.com/X8vzz7PNcw
— Bomberos El Salvador (@BomberosSV) October 30, 2020
Para la búsqueda de víctimas en la comunidad Los Angelitos II de Nejapa, trabajamos en la remoción de escombros en la parte posterior de la carretera que conduce a Quezaltepeque. pic.twitter.com/o6uQXlrFRi
— Bomberos El Salvador (@BomberosSV) October 30, 2020
One of the locals, who lost her daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law, said there was thunder at about 23:00 LT, and 'suddenly, we felt like there was a quake, it was when the landslide was coming.'
President Nayib Bukele mobilized the army to help in the search and rescue operation.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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