A roaring avalanche of mud and debris has devastated a mountain town in western Colombia, killing at least 49 people in a flood and mudslide triggered by heavy rains.

The likelihood of a human flu pandemic is very high, US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said as he begin a tour of south-east Asia to co-ordinate plans to combat bird flu.

Colombian police today discovered what they called an ingenious drug trafficking tool - a fibreglass submarine capable of transporting up to 10 tons of cocaine.

At least 40 workers have died in a landslide at a gold mine in western Colombia.