At least 13 people have died after a landslide swept away their boat in eastern Peru, the regional health department of Ucayali department reported.
“According to a preliminary summary report as of 6 p.m., the death of 13 people, including adults and minors, has been confirmed,“ the department said in a statement.
Twenty-eight people are still missing, but authorities do not rule out the possibility that this number could change. Sixteen people have been rescued.
According to RPP radio, the boat, carrying approximately 50 people, set sail from the city of Pucallpa and was ferrying passengers to towns along the Ucayali river. During a stop in the Iparia region, the boat was swept away. At that moment, there was another ship at the pier, but according to preliminary data, there were no people on it.