Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Oaxaca (Agenzia Fides) – The Civil Protection has confirmed the news that 4 people were killed after a landslide that occurred yesterday in the community of Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. The operational management of Civil Protection of Oaxaca had initially reported that there were only a few houses that had been buried, as well as 50 severely damaged, however the update says that there are now about 300 houses badly damaged and there may be up to 100 missing.
The heavy rains in recent days, associated with the tropical depression known as Matthew, have caused the separation of a strip of land measuring about 200 meters from a hill. About 500 people have been transferred to shelters set up in schools and in places considered safer.
According to latest reports, the landslide that occurred yesterday in a remote and mountainous area of Mexico, had aroused contrasting reports on the damage: the rescue service's effort reduced the severity of the incident, which involved a series of small towns and, in all, about 9,000 inhabitants. According to data reported by local press, at least 100 are still missing. Another place affected by bad weather is Villa Hidalgo, where many people have been wounded in another landslide that occurred there. These two sites are located in the northern sierra of Oaxaca, 220 km southeast of the capital.
During 2010, Mexico has been hit by the heaviest rains it has seen in many years. It has now been raining for several days and there are many who criticize the lack of information on prevention of such disasters. Similar episodes of strong storms have occurred in other countries in Central America (see Fides 28/9/2010). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2010)
