Ecuador landslide: At least 11 dead as 40 people swept away in floods horror

Heavy rain in Ecuador has caused a mudslide in the capital Quito with shocking images of people being swept away amidst debris. So far the authorities have said at least 11 people have died.

 hocking images show people being swept away in mudslides down a main street after torrential rain in Ecuador with 11 confirmed dead so far and more than 30 injured.

Muddy water can be seen sweeping down roads taking all before it including cars and container bins while people are being pushed along by its force.

One resident, Belen Bermeo, told local media: “I saw how the current swept away a man and a boy, it was terrible.”

Another, Emerson Rubio, tweeted: “Right now in La Gasca, in Quito there is a mudslide caused by the heavy rain. The water is sweeping away several cars and there are people trapped.”

Onlookers can be heard screaming and trying to help others out of the water.

The mayor of the city of Quito has confirmed that 11 people have been killed and a further 32 injured.

The local authority said that the mudslide was caused by the heaviest rainfall since 2003 where 75 litres fell per square metre.

People have been told to stay in their homes and wait to be rescued by emergency services.

A local authority statement read: “Quito Mayor Santiago Guarderas Izquierdo is coordinating the emergency work caused by the mudslide that occurred on Monday afternoon, January 31, which has killed 11 deaths – with four of those people identified.

“There are 32 injured who have been taken to refuges nearby and families affected have been put up in hostels.”

Mr Guarderas said: “This is very sad and we offer our condolences and support for the families of the dead and injured.”

Tim Hanlon-Mirror