4 foreigners among missing in deadly Colombia floods

BOGOTA – Three European citizens and an Ecuadorean are still unaccounted for following a deadly flood in southern Colombia that has killed at least 306 people.

Colombia’s foreign ministry said Thursday the missing include citizens of Germany, Britain and Spain. It did not provide any names of the missing, but said a fifth foreigner from Ecuador is among the dead. The body of Veronica Yandun, 20, was repatriated Thursday to her homeland. Still missing is her 9-month-old son, who was living in Mocoa along with his mother and father’s Colombian family.

Hopes of finding victims alive diminished by the hour and authorities were expected to suspend their search on Friday to focus on removing debris and beginning the long process of rebuilding. The government’s plans initially call for the reconstruction of at least 200 homes. More than 3,000 people left homeless by the tragedy are receiving help in seven temporary shelters.

Another major concern is the possible outbreak of diseases. Authorities were vaccinating residents in the town of 42,000 against typhoid and other diseases.

Vatican envoy Ettore Balestrero held a Mass Thursday in Mocoa’s cathedral in which he delivered a message of condolences from Pope Francis and held a minute of silence for the victims.