Heavy rains trigger landslides in Guatemala, at least 4 dead

Thursday, April 28, 2016, 1:44 PM - At least four people are dead following the collapse of a landfill in Guatemala City.

Two landslides occurred around 1:50 p.m. local time Wednesday after heavy rains caused the trash to shift, burying over 20 victims. 

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The incident left 15 injured and five people remain missing, according to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction. The dead are believed to be garbage-pickers, otherwise known as guajeros, who search through the trash to find recyclable material.

There were about 1,000 people working in the area at the time and although they were asked to evacuate, some refused. The area is said to be a risky part of the landfill as it is quite swampy and heavy rains make it even more problematic.

The National Civil Police (PNC) deployed 300 agents to participate in the search. Those who were rescued were sent to nearby San de Dios Hospital.

In October 2015, a massive landslide killed 280 people in the El Cambray II neighbourhood, located about 20 km from the capital.

SOURCE: CNN