‍The death toll in the collapse of a "garbage mountain" in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo has risen to 17, with at least 145 homes destroyed and more than 600 people have fled their homes.

Four of the dead were aged 11 to 15, officials confirmed on Friday. A total of 21 people were sent to the hospital, Colombo National Hospital spokesperson Pushpa Soysa said.

About 625 people were evacuated after a huge pile of garbage crashed down, destroying 145 homes. A public school serves as a temporary shelter for the displaced.

The garbage landslide on Friday was caused by heavy rain the day before. Most residents have evacuated from their homes because of the downpour. The death toll would have been higher had they stayed in their houses. 

Sri Lanka's parliament warned earlier that the 23 million tonnes of garbage rotting at the Kolonnawa dump was a serious health hazard. The construction of a power plant that could transform the solid waste into fuel is reportedly underway.

(Source: Agencies)