According to the National Police, so far six people were rescued alive after the event, which occurred on Sunday night, but others are still missing and until Monday there are no official reports of deaths.

President Guillermo Lasso informed on his Twitter account that due to the tragedy, he ordered the immediate activation of all State portfolios and mentioned the mobilization of firefighters from other municipalities so as to assist affected citizens.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Risk Management announced that three temporary shelters have been set up for the victims and 100 beds, 100 mattresses and 100 aid packages will be delivered to those in needs.

As a consequence of the landslide, the Cuenca-Riobamba road is closed and the electric infrastructure was damaged.

The landslide occurred in the area of Casual, where the risks of a geological fault had been warned months ago.

Last Saturday the inhabitants of Alausí held a sit-in to demand intervention in the area due to the risk of collapse.

jrr/jav/mgt/avr.