Guayaquil, Ecuador—A residential structure on the city outskirts collapsed under a wall of mud and earth early Thursday. Two residents were trapped inside the home when the slope gave way. Emergency crews recovered the bodies shortly after daybreak.

Recent heavy rainfall saturated the hillside, turning the ground into a slurry. Residents in the immediate vicinity had been warned about the risk of instability earlier this week. The house sat directly beneath a steep, unreinforced embankment.

Neighbors reported hearing a loud, grinding noise just before the structure gave way. The force of the slide pushed the house several meters off its foundation. Debris blocked the only access road, forcing rescuers to approach on foot.

Search and rescue units utilized hand tools and small excavators to clear the site. They moved slowly to avoid triggering further movement in the soft earth. The site remains classified as a high-risk zone by municipal geologists.

The city mayor visited the site to assess the damage and speak with affected families. He ordered an immediate evacuation of four neighboring homes that show signs of similar stress. Temporary housing is being prepared in the downtown district.

Geotechnical experts argue that illegal construction on the slopes contributed to the severity of the collapse. The removal of natural vegetation has left the soil vulnerable to heavy moisture. Municipal officials have struggled to regulate housing growth in these informal sectors for years.

Families displaced by the slide are currently gathering personal belongings under police supervision. The area remains without electricity as utility poles were snapped during the movement. The cleanup process is expected to last through the weekend.

The focus remains on stabilizing the hillside to prevent further incidents. Authorities are warning of additional rain forecast for the coming night. Search teams are continuing to scan the rubble to ensure no other victims are trapped beneath the debris.