Number of missing in Ecuador landslide falls to six, death toll 24

The mayor of Ecuador’s capital Quito revised the number of people missing after a landslide on Monday (January 31) from 12 to 6, although rescue work was still going on Wednesday (February 2), while the death toll stood at 24.

Ecuador’s worst rains in nearly two decades overwhelmed a dam near the working class neighbourhoods of La Gasca and La Comuna, sending mud and rocks down on residences and streets.

According to authorities, the number of injured has increased to 52 and repair work will begin on dozens of affected homes.

“We are trying to give the corresponding procedure to the people who disappeared,” Commander of Ecuadorean Police, Colonel William Calle, told Reuters.

Ecuador is facing heavy rains in several areas which have caused rivers to overflow and affected hundreds of homes and roads. Rains in Quito on Monday were equivalent to 75 litres per square meter.

“We’re helping and we’re doing the work very cautiously because suddenly, God forbid, there’s still someone out there under the rubble. We always have that hope of locating someone,” said Juan Carlos Alquinga, resident of the area and volunteer for cleaning operations.