On October 29, the Environmental Observatory reported a very high probability (80% -100%) of the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in Cerro El Picacho, Boquerón and neighboring municipalities (north of Santa Tecla, San Salvador, Mejicanos and Nejapa). At approximately 11:00 p.m., a large-scale landslide occurred from Cerro El Picacho with an approximate distance of 4 km of mud, rocks, logs and other debris that impacted Caserío Angelitos 1 and 2 of the municipality of Nejapa, San Salvador.

Photo: The Canadian Press

A rescue worker stands by as locals watch from the trunk of a tree that fell during a deadly landslide in Nejapa, El Salvador, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The slide occurred Thursday night when earth from the upper part of the San Salvador volcano was set in motion, sweeping up trees and homes. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)

The National Civil Protection System was activated to carry out search, recovery, rescue and assistance to the affected communities. On the morning of October 30, a Red Alert was declared in the municipality of Nejapa and particularly in the affected areas.
The priority actions of the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) and the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Development (MIGOBDT) are focused on the search and rescue of people, shelter management, debris evacuation and damage assessment. Through the first DGPC situation report, shared at 11:00 am on October 30, 105 affected families, 35 missing persons, 6 hospitalized persons and 7 deceased persons were reported. According to the report, the institutions collaborating in search, rescue and debris removal operations are: Green Cross, Red Cross, Rescue Commands, National Civil Police, Order Maintenance Unit, Deputy Minister of Transport, Civil Protection of Nejapa, Attorney General of the Republic, Institute of Legal Medicine, Armed Forces of El Salvador and DGPC, adding a total of 483 human resources. (OCHA, 30 Oct 2020)