Peru landslide buries dozens of homes with search underway for missing

Officials say up to 80 homes buried by mud in La Libertad region in north of country

Rescuers in Peru are searching for survivors after a devastating landslide buried up to 80 homes, officials say.

The landslide happened in in the La Libertad region in northern Peru after heavy rains soaked the area, with at least 15 people still missing, according to authorities.

A 68-year-old resident of the town was confirmed dead by the country’s president, Pedro Castillo, as rescue efforts continued on Wednesday.

Defence Minister Jose Luis Gavidia visited the impacted area and said that eight people were rescued safely from the rubble on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

“There are approximately 15 to 20 people who are missing,” Mr Gavidia said in a ministry statement.

Officials in the area, which is largely populated with mine workers, say that the vegetation-covered mountain is not suitable for building homes.

“We estimate that between 60 and 80 homes have been affected by the landslide. There are many people trapped,” Manuel Llempen, the governor of La Libertad, told news channel Canal N.

And he added: “We are drilling into the walls and saving and rescuing people whose homes have been covered.”

Mr Llempen also said that the village of 3,000 residents was built in an area not safe for construction.

“We have had a report for years where we ask the mayor of the respective district to prevent the construction of more houses in this area,” he said.

“Construction licenses are granted by the respective municipalities.”

The area was struck by a previous landslide in 2009 that killed nine people.

Peru has high rates of informal housing, with homes often built on the edges of rivers or on the sides of hills prone to landslides.