Around 50 people were affected and various homes were damaged in Santa Isabel Villanueva, a town 30 kilometres south of the capital, according to a spokesman for the national emergency services.

After Tuesday’s rains, the lack of drainage caused water to accumulate and eventually triggered the mudslide.

Residents and rescue workers were seen cleaning up the debris.

Authorities opened shelters for those affected, while emergency services continued to look for survivors.

The rainfall caused flooding and mudslides across the Central American nation.

Last year, Guatemala had one of its worst ever natural disasters when nearly 300 people died in a mudslide in Santa Catarina Pinula on the southeastern flank of Guatemala City.

Reuters