16 killed in Sri Lanka as huge rubbish heap collapses

At least 16 people were killed and more than 600 others fled their homes after a massive heap of rubbish collapsed on part of a poor neighbourhood near Sri Lanka's capital during festivities to mark the local new year, officials said.

Four people were rescued from underneath the mound, but it was unclear whether any others were buried, said military spokesman Roshan Seneviratne. Soldiers were searching the site.