SAN JOSE, Costa Rica Oct 12 (Reuters) - Ten people were killed and three others were missing after heavy rains caused an early morning landslide that engulfed homes in a small town in central Costa Rica, the Red Cross reported on Friday.

Rescue workers were searching through mud and debris for the missing people, who are presumed dead, said the Red Cross spokesman Alexander Porras.

About 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of land on a steep slope gave way and fell on the small town of Atenas, about 20 miles (30 km) west of the Costa Rican capital.

"There was just too much rain. It rained all night," said Porras. October is the height the rainy season in Costa Rica.

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