Mudslide in Santiago injures six and strands over one thousand people

A severe mudslide swept away vehicles and a bus in an eastern foothill area of Santiago, Chile, on Thursday, injuring six people and stranding more than 1,000 residents. UPI reported that the disaster was caused by a powerful storm system that swept through central and southern Chile, triggering heavy runoff in ravines around the capital city. [1]

According to UPI, fast-moving water, rocks, and sediment surged down steep city streets in the eastern district. The structural damage extended across roughly two miles of secondary streets and 7.5 miles of main roads, while clean-up operations began shortly after the flooding hit the capital, Bloomberg reported. [1][2]

The surging mudslide impacted more than 2,000 homes and covered 200 acres, UPI reported. Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast declared an emergency response in the affected zones following the destruction. [1]