Colombia Quake Starts Avalanche; at Least 100 Die

BOGOTA, Colombia — An earthquake unleashed an avalanche that roared down the slopes of a 3 1/2-mile-high volcano, burying at least 100 people in ice, mud and rocks.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4, was the strongest in Colombia since one measuring 6.8 on May 24, 1957.

At least 64 of the dead from the Monday afternoon disaster were from the village of Toez, which was buried by debris that tumbled down the slopes of Nevado del Huila volcano, said Gen. Jose Serrano, a commander of the National Police. The volcano, at 18,865 feet, is one of the highest in South America.

“It’s a tragedy on a grand scale,” Julio Enrique Ortiz, governor of Huila state, told Caracol radio. He flew over the site, which was cut off overland, in a helicopter.

“There are many deaths, but we have hopes that people were able to seek refuge on higher ground,” Ortiz said. “But the village of Toez has disappeared.”

Toez is at the base of the mountain.

Thirty-six people died in other villages that were in the path of the avalanche, Miguel Munoz, director of the regional prosecutor general’s office, told Caracol radio. The office is responsible for investigating deaths.

Civil defense authorities said at least 2,000 people were made homeless by the disaster.

Rescue workers arrived by helicopter Tuesday to begin searching for survivors. Helicopters were also ferrying in food and other aid.

A survivor in the town of Belalcazar said the avalanche created a strong wind and arrived in a huge cloud of black dust.

“We grabbed our kids, but some didn’t have time to save theirs,” Luis Castaneda told Caracol radio. “Those children perished. Others tried to flee to the other side of the river, but the avalanche swept them away. It was terrible.”