LUIS ROBAYO/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Colombia is mourning the first of its dead following floodwaters and landslides that killed at least 273 people and left thousands of others displaced.
The first funeral processions and the lowering of caskets, which began Tuesday, helped to underscore the gravity of what had occurred when deadly floods swept through southern parts of the Central American country last week.
Meanwhile, the window for rescue workers to find survivors is closing rapidly, meaning the death toll from the disaster is expected to rise.
President Donald Trump spoke Monday with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia to express his condolences and offer support from the U.S.
Responding to a question from ABC News, Santos said that Trump was “very worried” and that he “wanted to see what we needed and that he was thinking about Colombians and the victims of this tragedy.
“
Santos also said that Colombia is working with the U.S. Embassy in Bogota to alleviate the fallout from the disaster.
At least 2,700 people are in five shelters as a result of the tragedy, according to Santos, who spoke to the press Monday.
The Colombian leader said the next phase of the situation on the ground will be to stave off a public health crisis.
Vaccinations will begin for residents against Hepatitis and Tetanus, Santos said.
Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
