Landslide near Medellín claims five lives as heavy rains trigger regional emergency, Colombia
A deadly landslide struck Sabaneta, just south of Medellín, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, killing at least five people and leaving two missing amid ongoing heavy rains in Colombia’s Antioquia department. Rescue operations are underway as parts of the region remain under Red alert.
Rescue work underway after landslide in Sabaneta, Antioquia. Image credit: Andrés Julián/X
The landslide occurred in a residential area of Sabaneta during the early morning hours of Thursday, May 8. Local authorities confirmed at least five fatalities and two people unaccounted for as of late Thursday. Emergency crews, including search-and-rescue teams, were immediately deployed to the site.
Antioquia department governor Andrés Julián Rendón said the landslide was triggered by intense rainfall that also caused flooding and other localized emergencies across the region. Municipal officials have established temporary shelters for displaced residents.
According to the department’s disaster risk management agency (DAGRAN), teams of geologists, engineers, and social workers have been mobilized, and heavy machinery is in use to clear debris and support search operations.
The recent heavy rains in Antioquia have caused widespread disruption, with the region seeing numerous emergencies and significant damage to infrastructure since May 7. As a result, authorities have issued a Red alert in 72 municipalities and placed 10 others on orange alert. The Aburrá Valley, including cities like Medellín, Itagüí, Sabaneta, and La Estrella, are worst affected by heavy rainfall.
More than 520 families in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, and over 8 000 across the Antioquia department have been impacted. Currently, 87 municipalities are under some form of disaster alert. Heavy rains are expected to continue throughout May.
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