'Alive by a miracle,' Colombia landslide survivor tells how mud tore him from his home

Police, firefighters and rescue workers recover the body of a woman who died following a landslide caused by heavy rains, that killed and injured residents and destroyed homes, in Pereira, Colombia, February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Martin Gallego

PEREIRA, Colombia (Reuters) - A survivor of a landslide in central Colombia which killed at least 16 people this week described how the early morning rush of mud and water tore him from his home, as local officials warned tens of thousands could still be at risk.

The Tuesday landslide, which buried part of the La Esneda neighborhood on the border of the cities of Dosquebradas and Pereira, followed heavy rains in the surrounding coffee-growing province.