Deadly landslide in Colombia

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos is now grappling with one of the country’s worst disasters in recent history.



Yesterday, widespread flooding and mudslides caused by days of torrential rain in the Medellin suburb resulted in 50 houses being buried.



More than 30 bodies have since been recovered, about a third of them children.



Reports indicate that more than 80 people are still missing, and rescue efforts have been hampered by continued heavy rains.



In an effort to avoid further loss of life President Santos has urged the evacuation of a hillside neighbourhood near Medellin.



He said the collapse of the hillside was a foretold tragedy that could be repeated.



The Colombian president has promised that his government will build 1,000 new houses in Bello for people whose dwellings were destroyed or had to be evacuated.