Argentina mourns 16 individuals killed in Bahia Blanca floods. President Javier Milei declared three days of national mourning. Flash floods resulted from excessive rainfall, causing $400 million in damage. Government pledges $9.2 million in aid for recovery efforts.
Argentina is in mourning following a devastating flash flood in Bahia Blanca that resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals, with several still unaccounted for. President Javier Milei has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims of this tragedy, triggered by extraordinary rainfall.
The floods struck Bahia Blanca on Friday, delivering an unprecedented annual rainfall of approximately 260 millimeters (10 inches) in just a few hours. The flooding has been confirmed to include tragic cases, notably the loss of two young girls, ages one and five, as reported by Javier Alonso, the Minister of Security for Buenos Aires Province.
The mayor of Bahia Blanca, Federico Susbielles, disclosed during a press briefing that the flooding inflicted an estimated infrastructure damage toll of $400 million. He noted that while 16 fatalities have been confirmed, ongoing rescue efforts suggest that the number of victims could rise.
In response to this calamity, Economy Minister Luis Caputo announced the approval of financial aid amounting to 10 billion pesos, approximately $9.2 million, specifically for the recovery efforts in Bahia Blanca, a city with a population of 300,000. Much of the coastal area surrounding the city has also reported power outages as a result of the storm.
The tragic flooding in Bahia Blanca has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. The Argentine government has responded with a national mourning period and financial aid to assist affected families and initiate recovery efforts. Ongoing search and rescue operations continue as the community grapples with the aftermath of this disaster.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
