At least 15 people have died in Peru following a landside near a hotel where a wedding party was in progress.

A mass of mud and rock crashed into the building in the southern city of Abancay on Sunday. Local officials say about 30 people were injured. Rescuers are searching for those still missing. 

The celebration started on Saturday night. More than 100 guests continued partying until after midnight.

The area was reportedly battered by heavy rain. The local government suspects the hotel was not sufficiently prepared for such a disaster.

Local media say the hotel had a wall to protect it from mud and rocks sliding off a nearby mountain. But the local authorities had warned that the wall was not strong enough.--NHK