12 die in Mexico landslide

Mexico City, Sep 30 (IANS/EFE) At least 12 people were killed when a rainsoaked hillside gave way in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, President Felipe Calderon has said.

“Unfortunately, there has been a new landslide in Amatan, Chiapas. We’re mobilising aid to help out. The governor informs me of 12 deaths,” Calderon wrote on his Twitter account Wednesday.

The fresh landslide occurred Tuesday in the mountains of north Chiapas, a day after 11 people were reported missing in a mudslide in the state of Oaxaca, also in southern Mexico.

Amatan is located in the mountainous region near the town of Tacotalpa, where in recent days heavy rains have caused destruction of houses and overflow of rivers.

–IANS/EFE