UPDATE - 33 dead, 19 injured in Colombian highway landslide

UPDATES CASUALTIES; ADDS REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT​​​​​​​; REVISES HEAD, LEDE

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) — At least 33 people were killed and 19 injured in a landslide in the Choco region of Colombia on a highway near the town of Carmen de Atrato.

The landslide occurred due to heavy rains.

"I deeply regret the death of 33 people in this tragedy, mostly children, according to preliminary reports from the territory," Vice President Francia Marquez said on X.

Governor of Antioquia, Andres Julian Rendon, said search and rescue teams had been dispatched to the region and many victims were trapped under the soil.

Vice President Francia Marquez wrote on X that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

An announcement from the Emergency Center said it received reports of landslides simultaneously, and it was noted that many more victims could be under the soil than initially thought.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas and Seda Sevencan from Istanbul