Lima, Europe Brief News – A deadly landslide swept through Secocha in Peru’s Arequipa region, tearing down houses and leaving large debris in its wake.
More than a dozen people have been killed by the series of landslides in southern Peru.
The landslide triggered by heavy rains in the Arequipa region killed at least 15 people, including three children.
The region has suffered torrential downpours that are expected to continue. Authorities are warning the death toll could rise as access roads to the town are blocked, hindering rescue efforts.
The Peruvian army has deployed helicopters transporting humanitarian aid, drinking water and sandbags.
The landslide struck during anti-government demonstrations, many of which were concentrated in southern regions including Arequipa
Authorities say several others are injured or missing amid the disaster, which was triggered by several days of heavy rains in the region. Several villages were buried under tons of mud and rocks, with the hardest hit area being the Nicolas Valcarcel municipality in Camana province.
The disaster is the latest crisis to hit Peru, which has been plagued by massive protests since the ouster of President Pedro Castillo back in early December. Dozens of people have died and hundreds wounded in the unrest.
Protestors in Puno, Peru blocked a road to cut off access to the country’s mineral and tourism-rich region while demanding Peru’s President Dina Boluarte step down.
