Death toll from Guatemala landslide rises to 191: official

Santa Catarina Pinula (Guatemala), Oct 8: Rescue workers pulled 20 more bodies from a landslide outside the Guatemalan capital, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 191, officials have said.

"The latest toll of victims is 191," said Julio Sanchez yesterday, a spokesman for the firefighters and other rescue personnel working at the site on the outskirts of Guatemala City.

Authorities said about 150 people still have not been accounted for, as they searched for more bodies at the disaster site in the village of Cambray II.

A growing stench from decomposing bodies has filled the air at the scene of the tragedy, requiring workers to don face masks as the carry on with their grim recovery efforts.

The village in a section of the town of Santa Catarina Pinula, some 15 kilometers east of the capital was buried late Thursday by a mountain of mud and debris following heavy rains.

Rescuers said it would be nothing short of a miracle if anyone were found alive at this point, as they continue their search for more bodies, aided by specially-trained dogs.

Officials said they also have opened an investigation to determine who or what might have been responsible for the disaster.

AFP