<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">A huge landslide swept over an Andean community in central Ecuador, burying dozens of homes, killing at least seven people and sending rescuers on a frantic search for survivors, authorities said Monday.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier in the day, officials had reported 16 deaths, but President Guillermo Lasso put the confirmed toll at seven as he arrived Monday night at the scene of the disaster in Alausí, about 137 miles south of the capital, Quito. Officials also raised the number of people reported missing to 62.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lasso lamented the tragedy and promised people in the town that “we will continue working" on the search effort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretariat said more than 30 people were rescued after the mountainside collapsed around 10 p.m. Sunday. It said 23 people were injured.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“My mother is buried" under the mud, said Luis Ángel González, 58, who also lost other family members Sunday. "I am so sad, devastated. There is nothing here, no houses, no anything. We are homeless (and) without family.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The risk management agency estimated 500 people and 163 homes were affected by the disaster, which also destroyed a portion of the Pan-American Highway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The governor of Chimborazo, Ivan Vinueza, told The Associated Press that some of the injured were taken to area hospitals. He said officials had urged people to evacuate the area after landslides and cracks began to develop about two months ago. Some followed the advice, and by Saturday, as tremors intensified, others fled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Area residents told local media they heard tremors on the mountain before the landslide, which was estimated to be about 150 meters (490 feet) wide and nearly a half mile (700 meters) long. It swept away trees, homes and other buildings. More than fifty houses were buried under tons of mud of debris.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The emergency response agency said 60% of potable water service in the area was affected by the landslide. The communication’s office of the presidential office said some schools would be switching to online classes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Firefighters from a half dozen cities were dispatched to the area to help. Rescuers focused on the flanks of the landslide where they found traces and debris of houses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rescuer and paramedic Alberto Escobar said it was unlikely more survivors would be found because of the time that had elapsed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the search would continue as long as it did not rain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Video from cameras connected to the country’s emergency service network showed people fleeing their homes with help from neighbors. It also showed people transporting appliances and other belongings in vehicles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Survivors, many housed in temporary shelters, cried over their misfortune.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Among them was the Zuña family, who were staying at the Iglesia Matriz de Alausí, where rooms for catechism or parish meetings were adapted with bunk beds days ago after authorities declared an emergency in the area due to the risk of landslides.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sonia Guadalupe Zuña said her mother was reluctant to leave what they had built over the years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We went to the shelter, but my mother didn’t want to,” Zuña said. “Later, my daughter went to convince her. When they walked along the rails, everything collapsed. They arrived covered in dirt and crying.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Save for the clothes they had on, Zuña's family lost everything.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I don’t know where, but we’re all leaving," she said crying. "My parents taught us that by working hard, you get material things, but being together is priceless.” AP/UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>