Update: President Higgins writes to Colombian president after overflowing river kills 154 people

Latest: President Michael D. Higgins has written to the President of Colombia, expressing his sympathy following the deaths of 154 people.

Update 9.30pm: President Michael D. Higgins has written to the President of Colombia, expressing his sympathy following the deaths of 154 people.

The letter to Juan Manuel Santos expresses his sympathies to the victims of the landslides in the Putumayo region, to their families and to all those affected by the tragedy.