(CNN) -- Costa Rica's president has declared Friday and Saturday national days of mourning after mudslides buried homes and killed at least 20 people in the Central American country, officials said.
Crews have found at least 20 people who were buried alive Thursday after heavy rains sent mud rushing over at least five homes in San Antonio de Escazu, a suburb of the nation's capital, the Costa Rica National Commission for Emergencies said.
Another 1,394 people have sought refuge in 27 shelters, the commission said.
President Laura Chinchilla declared a state of emergency and national days of mourning Thursday.
Images aired on CNN affiliate Teletica showed rescue crews digging through demolished homes. In another scene, workers at a mud-covered overturned vehicle stretched out a white sheet over a victim's body.
Other images showed buckled roads damaged by the ferocity of the rushing water. In another area, some residents strung up a rope between two banks so people could walk across rushing water.
Mudslides and flooding were reported in many places in the Central Valley area, which is surrounded by a handful of mountains and volcanoes. It is the most populous part of the nation.
Classes were indefinitely canceled at many of Costa Rica's public schools, the education minister said on Teletica.
About 800,000 people were left without safe water supplies, and residents were told to boil any water to be used for drinking or cooking.
CNN
