DHAKA: A mass funeral has taken place in the Colombian town of Salgar for victims of a devastating mudslide on Monday.

Burials were held for 33 of the 84 people whose bodies have been recovered. Several local people are still missing, reports the BBC.

Thousands of people gathered in the square outside the town’s main church to pay their respects in front of a long row of coffins.

Rescue workers are still searching the local river for victims.

One resident of Salgar particularly hard hit is the city’s cemetery worker who has prepared 15 graves for members of his own family - mostly cousins who died in the flood.

A spokesman for the national emergency authorities said he expected to end the search for victims on Thursday or Friday.

He said between 20 and 25 local people caught in the flood had not been accounted for.

The landslide was triggered by heavy rains that sent torrents of water and mud crashing into the La Liboriana ravine, causing an overflow that destroyed the neighborhood below.

BDST: 1422 HRS, MAY 22, 2015
BD/