All the deceased fell into the river and it was not possible to rescue them quickly.
Four people who tried to cross the Antala ravine on a garrucha or handmade basket, in the rural area of the municipality of Silos, in Norte de Santander, lost their lives when this rustic means of transport collapsed on the tributary.
The three adults and one minor crossed the river on the artisanal cable car as they had done for several years due to the lack of a bridge and when they were in the middle of the route, the cable line burst, all four of them falling into the water. According to witness accounts, the severity of the injuries were the cause of the death of these four people.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Gonzalo Flórez Jaimes, his wife Graciela Villamizar Delgado, Nelson Fabián Flórez Montañez, and 27-year-old Carlos Alfonso Estrada Vargas.
Other inhabitants of the region who also hoped to cross were the ones who tried to help the injured, but the high flow prevented a quick rescue.
After the tragedy, the community of the villages of Leuta and Bata asked the authorities for a safe transportation solution, since two years ago Dilma Cabeza Parra lost her life in this same place and under the same circumstances.
The mayor of the municipality, Nelson Steiman Martínez Capacho, lamented the death of the four inhabitants of his municipality and sent condolences to their families through an official statement.