22 die, 47 injured in Ecuador flooding

Officials in Ecuador has confirmed that at least 22 people have died, with 47 injured following a massive landslide in the capital, Quito, as a result of heavy flooding.

The Mayor of Quito, Santiago Guarderas, who confirmed the death toll as well as the injured, said rescue crews have been searching homes and streets covered by mud for possible survivors.

Mayor Guarderas told reporters on Tuesday that 47 people were injured, two of them critically, while at least 20 people were reported missing.

Also Read: The Quest For Self Defence In A Ravaged Land

According to official reports, the floods were caused by heavy rains on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, which overlooks the city, with local authorities noting that 75 litres of rain per square metre fell in the La Gasca sector, the highest since 2003.

A video posted online by local emergency services showed a deluge of mud, water and rocks sweep down an avenue in the city, washing away cars as it flooded houses and streets, while parts of Quito were also left without power after electrical poles were brought down by the deluge.

The torrential downpour also caused a water collection structure to overflow, sending a deadly stream down a nearby hillside onto a sports ground where several people were practising volleyball as spectators looked on, authorities said at a virtual news conference.

“We saw this immense black river that was dragging along everything, we had to climb the walls to escape. We are looking for the disappeared,” said a resident Alba Cotacachi.

🚨Debido al aluvión en el sector de la Gasca, desde la Sala de Operaciones se coordinó el despacho de recursos de @BomberosQuito, @CruzPichincha, @Salud_CZ9, @PoliciaEcuador.
Personal de @AMT_Quito informa que existen vías cerradas. ⚠️
Al momento, se reportan 3 fallecidos. pic.twitter.com/TXiKO9HWl2

— ECU 911 Quito (@ECU911Quito) February 1, 2022

The torrential downpour also caused a water collection structure to overflow, sending a deadly stream down a nearby hillside onto a sports ground where several people were practising volleyball as spectators looked on, authorities said at a virtual news conference.

The city authorities said residents in affected areas had been moved to eight emergency shelters.

Meanwhile, the National Police of Ecuador said they dispatched both Special Operations Group and an Intervention and Rescue Group to assist with recovery efforts, the minister of interior tweeted.