Landslide kills at least 14 at an illegal Colombian gold mine, with nine victims reportedly from one family

A wall of mud and rock crashed without warning into the Santa Bárbara de Iscuandé gold mine at approximately 8.30am local time, burying more than 30 people who had been panning for gold. At least seven were injured, and the death toll is expected to climb. Residents joined rescuers, digging with shovels through the debris. Armed groups operating in the region have been called on to open humanitarian corridors so relief teams can reach survivors.

Álex González, the local minister, said the landslide gave the workers no time to escape.

Officials called on the government to dispatch the hospital ship Benkos Biojó from the nearby town of Guapi.

Dense jungle terrain has slowed emergency crews trying to reach the site near Ecuador.