Death toll from Guatemala mudslide rises to 131, 300 missing

The death toll from a massive mudslide outside the Guatemalan capital has climbed to more than 130 people with hundreds more missing.

On Monday, volunteer fire brigade spokesman Julio Sanchez said 131 people were confirmed dead and another 300 were still missing.

“Unfortunately, a new count shows that there are 131 confirmed dead and recovered,” Sanchez said, adding that a number of children, including infants, were among those who died.

The rise in the death toll comes three days after the mudslide took place in El Cambray Village in Santa Catarina Pinula municipality following heavy rainfall.

Rescue operations were suspended late Sunday as rain resumed.

Meanwhile, Mexico has sent a team of rescue workers to help Guatemalan emergency workers with the search operations near the capital, Guatemala City.

Officials say about 125 houses have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the mudslide.