At least 18 people were killed and dozens injured on Friday in a powerful landslide in northwestern Colombia, the government of the Choco Department said early Saturday, Ednews reports citing CNN.

The landslide occurred on a road between Quibdo, the capital of the Choco Department, and Medellin, the capital of the Antioquia Department, with dozens of people and vehicles trapped in the area, Colombia's Vice President Francia Marquez said on X, formerly Twitter, citing preliminary reports.

At least 35 people with injuries were taken to different hospitals, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) said in a statement.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the incident as a "horrible tragedy" and asked the authorities to do their utmost to support those affected by the disaster.

The Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) used a helicopter to transport the injured and 82 rescue units had been mobilized to the affected area, the UNGRD said.

Witnesses at the scene told local media that before the disaster, around 50 people were sheltering from the intense rains in a house that was then suddenly buried by the landslide.

It is likely that the number of victims will increase as the rescue efforts continue.