A Cochrane resident who used to call Colombia, South America home says the country is devastated after a weekend tragedy.

More than 250 people were killed and over 200 injured when torrential rains on Friday night forced three rivers over their banks and sent a wall of mud and debris cascading through a city in the southwest.

John Castrillion now serves as Technical Director for Cochrane Minor Soccer and returned earlier this year from a trip to Colombia working with the U17 national soccer team.  

Castillion said, "The city is called Mocoa and it's near the border with Ecuador.  It rained 102 mm basically in one night."

Castrillion said almost the entire city was affected.  "Imagine Airdrie with all their neighborhoods.  There were 40 neighborhoods and 17 got almost destroyed."  

According to Castillion, the response of the Colombian government has been amazing.  "The army's there, the police.  They sent five Hercules planes there and in one of the planes is basically a flying hospital and they have doctors and nurses.  They're helping a lot."  

Castrillion said anyone from Airdrie and area who wants to help the people of Mocoa recover from the tragedy should get in touch with the Colombian Consul in Calgary at 587 351-9460.  Castillion said the Consul will be meeting over the next few days and then letting people know ways they can help.

 

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