20 killed in Sri Lanka as massive mound of garbage collapses

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The death toll from the collapse of a massive garbage mound near Sri Lanka’s capital rose to 20 on Sunday, and residents feared more victims could be buried underneath the debris.

Military spokesman Roshan Seneviratne said he did not know whether anyone was still missing from the tragedy in Meetotamulla, a town outside Colombo, the capital. Military personnel were still searching the site and speaking to survivors to determine how many were missing.

But a resident who identified himself only as Sanjaya said that he and others were searching for three neighbours — an elderly man, his daughter and granddaughter — who were buried under the collapse.

Twelve people who were injured in the disaster remained in the hospital.