Flood, mudslide sweep away homes in Colombia, killing 47 [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

May 18, 1:56 PM EDT

Flood, mudslide sweep away homes in Colombia, killing 47

By JOSHUA GOODMAN and LIBARDO CARDONA
Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- At least 47 people were killed Monday when a mudslide triggered by heavy rains swept away dozens of modestly-built homes during the dead of night.

The disaster took place around 3 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EDT; 0800 GMT) in the town of Salgar, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Medellin.

Residents described being stirred from bed by a loud rumble and neighbors' shouts of "The river! The river!" as an avalanche of heavy debris and mud sent several homes and bridges plunging into the steep Libordiana ravine. Those lucky enough to survive barely had enough time to gather their loved ones.

"It was rocks and tree trunks everywhere," Diego Agudelo told The Associated Press, adding that never in 34 years living next to the ravine had he suspected such a tragedy was possible. "The river took out everything that was in its path."

More:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_COLOMBIA_DEADLY_FLOODING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-05-18-13-09-24