A landslide of plant material and soil injured at least 15 tourists visiting the free-standing Rock of Guatape in Colombia. The granite outcropping is over 650 feet high from its base.
At least 15 people were injured in the landslide Thursday afternoon, the Administrative Department for Risk Management for the Colombian Department of Antioquia posted on X. Of those confirmed to be injured, nine were hospitalized and six were treated onsite.
Local officials said that continued weathering of the rock by the elements ultimately led to the material detaching from the rock.
A crack on the stone’s right side was filled by plants and soil, which expanded the crack. That material was eventually dislodged thanks to heavy rains, according to a report viewed by the El Colombiano local newspaper.
“This landslide occurred at the top and due to the height it gained strength and speed, and impacted these people who were walking through the site,” Jaime Enrique Gomez Zapata, director general of the Antioquia risk management department told local newspaper El Pais, as translated by Google.
The site has now been temporarily closed to tourists as authorities determine the overall stability of the rock formation and whether or not it is still safe for tourists following the landslide.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.