Mudslide Slams Colombian Bus, Kills 16

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
April 15, 2011

A wall of mud slammed into a bus traveling towards Colombia's capital, Bogota, sweeping the bus into a ravine and killing at least 16 of those on board.

Authorities said Thursday the accident had occurred the night before, outside the city of Manizales. They said the mudslide was triggered by heavy rains which have been battering Colombia this year.

Twenty people including the drivers were on board the bus. Four remain missing. No survivors have been found.

The downpours are blamed on a weather phenomenon known as La Nina, during which cooler-than-normal water temperatures exist in the Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has said the unusually heavy rainfalls have killed hundreds and could leave more than 2 million people homeless.