The devastating 17 July 2023 debris flow at Quetame in Colombia

Late in the evening of 17 July 2023 a devastating mudflow struck Quetame in Colombia.  Initial reports are that 14 people have been killed and a further 20 remain missing.

There is a good thread on Twitter by the ever reliable Helbert García-Delgado that includes links to some news reports:-

Last night, seven people died and 20 more went missing after a mass flow struck the area of Quetame, close to the capital Bogotá. The road Bogotá – Villavicencio was partially affected by the flows as well. #Landslides #NaturalHazardshttps://t.co/054oe9V9kH

— Helbert García-Delgado (@HelbertSchneid1) July 18, 2023

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Meanwhile, La FM has some security camera footage that captures the arrival of the landslide. The devastating impact is clear:-

Cámaras de seguridad capturaron el momento exacto de la avalancha que dejó varios muertos y desaparecidos en Quetame, Cundinamarca. pic.twitter.com/bC61jhqD2p

— La FM (@lafm) July 18, 2023

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LLanomundo has an article in Spanish that includes this before and after image of a part of the path of debris flow:-

Before and after image of a part of the path of the 17 July 2023 debris flow at Quetame in Colombia. Image from Llanomundo.

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The BBC has a news report about this event, which was triggered by heavy rainfall. Amongst those killed are at least three children. It also notes that severe damage was caused by flooding and other landslides in the area. We will need satellite imagery to understand the full extent of the damage.

News reports and images indicate extensive damage to the motorway toll station at Naranjal, which is located at [4.2797, -73.8347]. Google Earth indicates that a large gully enters the main channel at this point that has multiple landslides on its slopes.  This seems potentially to be the source of the disaster, but this is speculation at this time.