Tropical storm's death toll hits 250 as towns are buried

THE death toll from flooding and mudslides caused by tropical storm Stan in central America rose to 250 yesterday after two small towns were buried.

Residents said at least 50 people were killed in a landslide in Solola, close to the popular Guatemalan tourist destination of Lake Atitlan. It was thought to be the worst single incident in flooding that has hit southern Mexico and Central America over recent days.

Lucas Ajpus, a former firefighter co-ordinating rescue efforts near where the mudslide occurred, said: "We've been pulling bodies out for two days and we've found 50 in an area encompassing 100 square yards.

"There's still a lot to be done because two towns have disappeared completely."

Mr Ajpus said the mudslide began on Wednesday morning and most residents had managed to escape, but police and soldiers had been unable to get to the area 60 miles west of the capital, Guatemala City, and food, clothing and medicine were needed.

In Colombia, an avalanche of mud and water killed at least ten people and left 40 unaccounted for when a river broke its banks and washed away mountainside homes near the town of Bello. The dead from the mudslide, on Thursday night, included a number of children.