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A devastating landslide recently ravaged Ecuador, tragically claiming the lives of at least six individuals and leaving 19 others injured, amidst a relentless downpour that battered regions across Central and South America. The catastrophe unfolded in Banos de Agua Santa, a picturesque city nestled in the heart of Ecuador, where the sheer force of nature unleashed a "large-magnitude" landslide, as detailed by the Ecuadorean Secretariat for Risk Management in their latest comprehensive report.

Earlier in the day, panic gripped the region when reports surfaced that 30 people were missing in the aftermath of the disaster. However, as the day progressed, authorities were relieved to confirm that all missing persons had been located and accounted for, alleviating some of the initial fears.

Roberto Luque, Ecuador's minister of public works, took to social media to express his heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the affected families. He lamented the broader impact of the storm, noting disruptions to operations at three hydroelectric plants, underscoring the extensive repercussions of the natural calamity.

The torrential rainstorm, exacerbated by a prevailing low-pressure system, swept relentlessly across Central and South America, triggering widespread alerts across the region. In El Salvador, the civil protection agency responded swiftly by declaring a red alert due to the torrential rains that inundated the nation, heightening the risk of further landslides and flooding. Meanwhile, neighboring Guatemala saw disruptions in air travel, with airlines forced to divert flights amidst the adverse weather conditions, as communicated by the country's communications ministry.