Were Santa Catarina Pinula residents warned?

The remains of 161 people have been recovered so far in Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala, following last week's mudslide. The tragedy occurred after several weeks of rain that loosened the areas surrounding the homes. However, in the last few days officials and townspeople have fought over whether the people of the area had previously been warned about the unsafe nature of the residences.

On Tuesday, authorities said that they had opened an investigation into determining whether officials authorized the homes to be built and, if so, what responsibility those individuals have for the deaths.

Most people there were homeowners, and said they built their homes with all the proper permits. They said they had worried more about the nearby river that occasionally overflows its banks than the hillside above them.

Disaster Reduction Commission Director Alejandro Maldonado said he had warned Mayor Tono Coro of the municipality of Santa Catarina Pinula that the river was eating away at the base of the steep hill.

Maldonado said he was waiting for a report from local authorities about what they had done in response to the warning.

Municipal spokesperson Manuel Pocasangre said local authorities had warned residents about the dangers, but the inhabitants did not want to leave their homes.

Maldonado acknowledged there are many neighbourhoods like Cambray in and around Guatemala City that are at risk of flooding or mudslides.

"What happened in Cambray is just a tragic case of what could potentially happen throughout the city," Maldonado said.

Hundreds of bodies remain trapped underneath the mud and debris. While authorities continue the recovery, there is likely going to be some point at which they decide that that will be their final resting place.