At least 80 people have died in Colombia’s failed peace talks, with several hostages, the official said.

More than 80 people have been killed in Colombia’s northeastern region after failed peace talks with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian official said.

William Villamizar, the governor of Santander North, where most of the killings took place, said 20 people were injured.

The government’s ombudsman agency announced late Saturday that community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven people who wanted to sign a peace agreement were among the victims.

Officials said the attacks took place in several towns in the Catatumbo region near the border with Venezuela, and at least three people who were part of the peace talks were taken hostage.

Thousands of people are fleeing the area, some hiding in the nearby lush mountains or seeking help in government shelters.

The Colombian army rescued dozens of people on Sunday, including a family and their pet dog, whose owner held cold water to his chest to cool off as they were evacuated by helicopter.

Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez traveled to the northeastern city of Cucuta on Sunday as officials prepared to send an estimated 10 tons of food and hygiene supplies to the communities of Okana and Tibu, many of whom fled the attack.

“Catatumbo needs help,” Villamizar said in a public speech on Saturday. “Men, women, young men, teenagers, entire families are riding trucks, dump trucks, motorcycles, doing everything they can on foot to avoid being victims of this collision.”

The attack came after Colombia suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army, or LN, on Friday, the second time in less than a year.

The Colombian government called on the ELN to stop all attacks and for authorities to enter the region and provide humanitarian aid.

After signing a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016, the LN has been clashing with members of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group in Catatumbo. The two are fighting for control of a strategic border area with coca leaf plantations.

In a statement on Saturday, the LN warned former FARC members that “if they continue to attack the people…there is no other way out but armed struggle.” The LN accused former FARC rebels of carrying out several killings in the area, including the killing of a couple and a 9-month-old baby on January 15.

Army chief General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaria said Saturday that authorities are strengthening the humanitarian corridor between Tibu and Cucuta to allow the safe passage of those forced to flee their homes. Special urban troops have also been deployed to municipal capitals “where there are dangers and a lot of fear,” he said.

The LN has tried five times to negotiate a peace deal with President Gustavo Petro’s administration, with talks failing after violence. The LN’s demands include recognition as a political rebel organization, which critics say is dangerous.