Peru Port Tragedy: Landslide Kills 12, Dozens Still Missing After Boats Pulled Under

A devastating landslide at a river port in central Peru has left at least 12 people dead and dozens more missing, plunging the region into a state of urgency as rescue teams continue their search operations. The incident occurred early Monday morning when a massive section of a mountain slope collapsed, sending mud, rocks, and debris cascading into the port area and pulling several boats underwater within seconds.

The port, located along a remote tributary of the Amazon basin, serves as a crucial transportation hub for surrounding communities that rely heavily on river travel. At the time of the tragedy, multiple passenger boats and cargo vessels were docked, many of them preparing for early-morning departures. Eyewitnesses described scenes of sheer panic as the surging wave of debris struck with overwhelming force, submerging the boats and sweeping people into the fast-flowing river.

Local authorities confirmed that 12 bodies have been recovered so far, while an estimated 30 to 40 people remain unaccounted for. However, officials warn the number of missing may fluctuate as updated passenger lists from the boats trickle in. Many of the passengers were believed to be traders, farmers, and families traveling toward larger towns for medical needs or market supplies.

Rescue teams, including navy divers, firefighters, and local volunteers, have been tirelessly combing the area despite challenging conditions. The river’s murky waters, combined with floating debris and strong currents, have hampered search efforts. Heavy rains the same weather pattern that likely triggered the landslide are expected to continue, raising fears of additional ground movement and complicating rescue operations.

Peru’s national disaster response agency has dispatched additional equipment, including sonar-equipped boats and aerial drones, to improve the chances of locating those still missing. Emergency shelters have also been set up for survivors who lost belongings, while medical teams are treating the injured for trauma, fractures, and exposure.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte expressed her condolences to the families of the victims, calling the event “a heartbreaking tragedy that demands our collective support.” She has asked regional officials to expedite relief measures and ordered an inquiry into the stability of surrounding slopes, as the region has seen frequent landslides during recent rainy seasons.

Geologists say the incident highlights Peru’s growing vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Increased rainfall intensity driven in part by altered weather patterns has weakened slopes in several mountainous and jungle regions. Landslides have become more common, often hitting rural and riverine communities with limited early-warning infrastructure.

Locals, however, say the port area had shown visible cracks on the hillside in recent weeks. Some community leaders allege that warnings about soil instability were not acted upon swiftly, though authorities have not confirmed whether prior reports were filed.

Families of the missing have gathered along the riverbanks, many clinging to hope as rescue boats move in and out of the disaster site. Volunteers have joined in the search, navigating smaller channels in hopes of finding survivors who may have been washed downstream.

As the search continues, Peru faces yet another reminder of the need for stronger disaster preparedness, particularly in remote regions where river travel remains a lifeline.