Rescue workers in Bello, which borders Medellin, have recovered 74 bodies from the landslide which wiped away 35 houses, El Espectador reported on Wednesday.
Andres Perez, mayor of Bello, said that on Tuesday five more bodies were found, including two children of 6 and 11 years old, making “a total of 74 bodies recovered.”
Relief agencies and authorities initially expected the casualties to rise up to 150 people, but according to recent estimates no more than 85 people died in the disaster.
Authorities will meet to discuss and coordinate new actions for the recovery of victims on Wednesday.
“We will continue the removal effort to find all bodies, then start to organize the ground,” Perez added.
The tragedy in Bello was the deadliest incident of this year’s rainy season, which is said to be the worst in 50 years.
According to Colombia’s government, heavy rains have caused emergencies in 28 out of 32 departments, affecting nearly 2 million Colombians.
