Seven people have been killed when a part of a hill collapsed onto the Mexico City-Queretaro road in Tepeji del Rio municipality in Hildago State, covering cars with mud, rocks and trees on Sunday 26 May 2013. At least five cars were buried by the slide, though all those killed were in two vehicles; five people in a taxi and two in a van, another four passengers in the van received hospital treatment. The incident comes during a severe hail and rain storm that caused flooding in the area. People in the area had apparently raised concerns about the hill above the road, but highway officials had not found any problems.
Rescuers at work on the Mexico City-Queretaro road on 27 May 2013. Xinhua/Susana Martinez.
Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure overcomes the sediments cohesion and allows it to flow downhill. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall.
See also Seven people killed by Landslide in Shaanxi Province, China, One child dead and another missing following Minnesota landslide, Three people killed by landslide in Sichuan Province, China, Railworker killed in North Carolina mudslide and Three children killed by landslip in Kenya.
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