A bulldozer was removing soil from an old landslide below the Andes Mountains in Colombia on Saturday when a new landslide suddenly occurred, Voice of Russia reported.

The landslide covered the road near the Colombian city of Neiva, trapping at least 25 people. Officials say that 300 rescue workers have been deployed with dogs to search for victims, the Associated Press reported.

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However, operations will have to be suspended if the mountain slope becomes unstable again, BBC News reported. Five people have been confirmed dead so far.

"It is a very difficult situation as the landslide was very big," National Rescue Director Cesar Uruena told RCN radio. "We will need many heavy machines to clear the road."