Heavy rains set off mudslide that kills at least 5 in remote Peruvian mining community

At least 5 dead in Peru mudslide from heavy rain

LIMA, Peru — Peruvian police say five people have been killed by a mudslide set off by heavy rains in a remote community of wildcat miners in the southeastern Andes.

Gen. Javier Sanguinetti, police chief of the Puno region, says authorities have no further information because communications have been disrupted and the area is accessible only by foot because of the continuing rain.

Sanguinetti says the bad weather prevented a police helicopter from landing at midday Saturday to check on the extent of damage near an unauthorized mine. The aircraft will try again Sunday.

The police chief says the slide occurred in Carabaya province 530 miles (860 kilometers) from Lima.