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05 January 2009 

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Guatemala Landslide Kills 33, More Missing

05 January 2009

Rescue workers in Guatemala are searching for victims of a massive landslide that covered a road in the northern part of the country Sunday, leaving at least 33 people dead, 15 others injured and dozens missing.

The incident happened when part of a mountain collapsed in the state of Alta Verapaz, some 200 kilometers from Guatemala City.  Officials say the landslide brought millions of tons of earth and rock crashing down onto the road, which was being used by day laborers returning home from work.  

Authorities say the victims apparently ignored warnings not to use the road, which was closed in December after a similar rock fall left two people dead.  The latest avalanche swept across the mountain road connecting the towns of San Cristobal and Chicaman.  

Guatemala's rugged terrain is vulnerable to floods and landslides.


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