Mud avalanche kills at least 49 in Colombian town

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.

Residents were stirred from bed in the dead of the night by a loud rumble as modestly built homes and bridges plunged into the Libordiana ravine. Survivors barely had enough time to gather their loved ones.

“It was rocks and tree trunks everywhere,” Diego Agudelo said. “The river took out everything that was in its path.”