Ecuador: Rescuers search for missing after torrential rains in Quito
Soldiers try to clear the streets after a mudslide on February 2, 2022. Rodrigo BUENDIA AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The still provisional assessment of the catastrophic floods that hit the neighborhoods of La Gasca and La Comuna in Quito reports twenty-six dead, 53 injured and five missing.
But three days after the mudslides caused by torrential rains, the situation is still far from returning to normal.
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With our correspondent in Quito,
Éric Samson
Despite the presence of dogs from the canine brigade of the armed forces, none of the five missing was found Thursday, February 3.
Rescuers were on site on Wednesday trying to mark out what was left of a sports field where a large group of people, including athletes and the public, were caught in tens of thousands of cubic meters of mud slammed down the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.
Itinerant seller of sausages and fries, Isaias Campos is still surprised to have survived.
“
I managed to save my mobile kitchen.
It's my only job, without it I can't maintain my family
,” he says.
Further down town, the streets are still muddy and dusty but traffic has been restored.
Restaurant worker Ramiro Gomez joined the volunteers helping rescuers and the affected population.
“
The last three days have been terrible here.
Mud everywhere, blocked streets, total chaos
,” he says.
"
Total Disaster
"
Progress has been made, however, according to volunteer rescuer Pablo Yépez.
“
Only yesterday it was a total disaster, like a war zone.
Today there is less mud thanks to the bulldozers and the work of residents and volunteers, but there is still a lot to do
,” he said.
The authorities are currently trying to restore electricity service in the affected neighborhoods by replacing the pylons swept away by the torrent of mud.
Firefighters break through the walls to get the solidified mud out of the houses.
The soldiers were deployed in the deserted neighborhoods to avoid thefts.
According to the mayor of Quito, some 3.5 liters per m2 fell on Saturday, but nearly 75 liters per m2 on Monday when the forecast announced rains not to exceed two liters per m2.
Quito authorities have declared a three-day mourning.
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Ecuador
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