Dozens Dead In Massive Colombia Landslide

Tragedia en #Salgar, Antioquia.

A video posted by @willyaradio on May 18, 2015 at 7:59am PDT

A massive landslide has torn through a ravine in northwest Colombia, killing 56 people and injuring scores more, authorities have said.

Most residents were sleeping when the landslide hit the municipality of Salgar around 3am on Monday, burying a large area in mud and debris.

The rush of mud and water "tore down everything in its path," Salgar Mayor Olga Osorio told RCN Radio.

The small town of Santa Margarita was practically "wiped off the map," she said.

Aerial images showed a broad river of mud that had inundated a large area, dragging houses and trees along with it.

Residents shovelled out piles of mud on Monday afternoon, trying to salvage what belongings they could, as dump trucks arrived to begin hauling away the mess.

President Juan Manuel Santos flew over the affected area and met with local officials, the 

AFP news agency reported.