The last flood registered in the sectors of La Comuna and La Gasca, in the west of the capital, has left 26 fatalities so far.
Landslides, earthquakes, tremors and volcanic eruptions have been recorded in Quito throughout its existence. LA HORA recalls four disasters that have occurred in the last 25 years and that have shocked the inhabitants of the city. Two were related to natural events and the rest to the action of man (anthropic events).
1.- Cubana de Aviacion accident: On August 29, 1998, the worst plane crash in Quito. That day, 80 people, including five children, died after the failed takeoff of a aircraft of the Cubana de Aviación airline.
The accident occurred around 1:00 p.m. when the plane was trying to take off from the old Mariscal Sucre airport through the north header. The aircraft, a Tupolev 154 Mwent off the runway and crashed into a nearby area of homes and workshops, also causing casualties on the ground.
According to the Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS, lThe aircraft caught fire, leaving many passengers charred to death.. Then the fatalities were estimated at 77, but the final figure rose to 80.
2.- Fire at the Factory nightclub: On April 19, 2008 the Factory nightclub, in the south of Quito, on Av. Maldonado was at its maximum capacity. Nearly 300 people gathered to participate in a gothic music concert. Before the end of the show, flares were used that caused a general fire.
Those who were inside, and survived, told after there was only one exit available. People were trying to flee the place when the fire spread. Two other doors had padlocks attached to the outside. Many died asphyxiated and others charred. In total, they recorded 19 fatalities and 24 injured.
The investigations determined that the warehouse, which had become an entertainment center, did not comply with current regulations. The installations They were built with brass and inside there was a large amount of flammable material.for example, sponges that were used to improve the acoustics of the premises.
3.- Disaster in La Forestal. On May 2, 2011, the slope on Av. Simón Bolívar that supported the neighborhood known as La Forestal. The incident occurred around 12:00 when there was heavy vehicular traffic on the road. The accumulation of water, added to the erosion of the soil, caused a mass of mud and rocks to come off. and cover everything that was in the lower part. The final balance was five dead, including two women who were in a vehicle, and seven wounded.
According to municipal authorities, the volume of the landslide it was 2,000 m3, but it fell sharply because the mountain was saturated by the rains, as well as by the wastewater from the neighborhoods in the area. Days before, some 120 meters from the site, 6,000 m3 of land had already collapsed, but with less intensity.
4.- Flood of La Commune: January 31, 2022. So far (February 3, 2022) 26 bodies have been found of people who were in the neighborhoods of La Comuna and La Gasca, in the west of Quito. The emergency services also registered 36 injured people who have already been discharged and 17 who remain hospitalized.
The official explanation is that the amount of rain that fell that day caused landslides that saturated the catchment systems of the El Tejado creek. Subsequently, the water, mud and stones were channeled and caused a flood that went down the av. De la Gasca covering everything in his path. (DPV)
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