A devastating mudslide in the Quetame municipality of central Colombia has resulted in the loss of at least 14 lives and caused significant disruption to a crucial highway connecting Bogota to the eastern plains. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday following intense rainfall that engorged three local streams, triggering an avalanche of mud and debris that engulfed several homes.

Rescue efforts are underway, with police actively searching for individuals who may be trapped beneath the debris. The mudslide also impacted a toll booth and destroyed a bridge on the Bogota-Villavicencio highway, necessitating traffic diversions. Many of the affected residences were situated along the hillsides near rivers, highlighting the vulnerability of such locations to natural disasters.

President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences via Twitter and emphasized the urgent need for meticulous urban planning by local authorities, particularly with regard to maintaining adequate distance from waterways. The mudslide is expected to significantly impact trade between eastern Colombia and Bogota, disrupting the transportation of essential goods such as beef, rice, and palm oil.