Death toll climbs to 254 in southern Colombia landslide

‍‍At least 254 people have been killed and hundreds are injured or missing after mudslides destroyed homes in southern Colombia, Reuters has reported, citing an army statement.

The violent weather has left 400 other people injured, with 200 missing, said the statement.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos (4th R) gestures while visiting a flooded area after heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, pushing sediment and rocks into buildings and roads in Mocoa, Colombia April 1, 2017. /CFP Photo

The tragedy occurred on Friday night when heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, devastating several neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Mocoa.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos arrived in Mocoa on Saturday morning and ordered immediate assistance to all the affected population.

More than 1,100 soldiers and police officers were reportedly asked to help dig people out in 17 affected neighborhoods.

Santos gives a lower death toll of 193 via Twitter.

Santos said earlier via Twitter that at least 193 people were killed and 185 wounded in the landslide in Mocoa.

He also promised to send several aircraft to deliver humanitarian aid and guarantee healthcare in the area.