At least seven people were killed and 17 others injured in a landslide in Ecuador's mining zone of Bella Rica in the southern province of Azuay.
Patricio Lopez, mayor of Ponce Enriquez, told reporters the landslide occurred early in the day due to heavy rains which caused damage to two mines in the region, Xinhua news agency quoted local reports as saying.
The mayor said several miners may have been trapped in the mines and the death toll may increase over the next few hours.
Four homes have been damaged and Ponce Enriquez has been left without electricity.
Rescue units are at the disaster site located in a rural area accessible only on foot or by plane, local authorities said.
Ponce Enriquez has a population of more than 10,000 and most residents work in gold mining or agriculture.
The region was previously affected by landslides that killed several miners.
Ten days ago, a Peruvian and an Ecuadorian died in another landslide in the same area.
Friday 25 January 2013
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsworld.php?id=924072
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