On his way to Retamas, the top official arrived in Trujillo, capital of northern La Libertad region.
After leaving Parliament headquarters, Mr. Castillo announced that he would travel to the area in order to verify the situation in situ.
"The Government of the people will be present at the time when citizens most require it," he emphasized.
The first reports speak of missing persons, including three minors, in addition to dozens of homes that would have ended up buried by the landslide.
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