Rains, Mudslides Kill 65 in Central America

[buzzsaw_23]

Rains, Mudslides Kill 65 in Cent. America

By DIEGO MENDEZ
Associated Press Writer


SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) -- Hurricane Stan knocked down trees, ripped roofs off homes and washed out bridges in southeastern Mexico, but it was the storms it helped spawn that were far more destructive, killing more than 65 people in Central America.

The former Category 1 hurricane lost strength over the Mexican state of Oaxaca. But forecasters said Stan triggered separate storms to the south and officials in El Salvador's capital said 49 people had been killed, mostly due to two days of mudslides sparked by rains.

More than 16,700 Salvadorans had fled their homes for 167 shelters nationwide.

"This is a national tragedy because of the rains," said Eduardo Rivera, a spokesman for a team of Salvadoran rescue officials. "There isn't a corner of the country where there isn't pain and destruction to be found."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HURRICANE_STAN?SITE=NYITH&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Mudslides caused by deforestation. Another 'unnatural' disaster.