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Scores die in El Salvador floods | Scores die in El Salvador floods |
(20 minutes later) | |
At least 91 people have been killed in El Salvador by flooding following days of heavy rain, the government says. | At least 91 people have been killed in El Salvador by flooding following days of heavy rain, the government says. |
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in five regions, Interior Minister Humberto Centeno said. | Authorities have declared a state of emergency in five regions, Interior Minister Humberto Centeno said. |
Mr Centeno said the capital San Salvador and central San Vicente province were the hardest-hit regions. | Mr Centeno said the capital San Salvador and central San Vicente province were the hardest-hit regions. |
Journalist Juan Carlos Barahona told the BBC that San Vicente had almost been completely cut off by landslides and collapsed bridges. | Journalist Juan Carlos Barahona told the BBC that San Vicente had almost been completely cut off by landslides and collapsed bridges. |
Mr Barahona, of the El Salvador daily La Prensa Grafica, told the BBC that the other worst affected areas were La Libertad, La Paz and Cuscatlan. | Mr Barahona, of the El Salvador daily La Prensa Grafica, told the BBC that the other worst affected areas were La Libertad, La Paz and Cuscatlan. |
Mr Centeno said 60 people were still missing, and about 7,000 more were in shelters. | Mr Centeno said 60 people were still missing, and about 7,000 more were in shelters. |
"We have, unfortunately, 91 fatalities," he said, raising the death toll from 50 earlier in the day. | "We have, unfortunately, 91 fatalities," he said, raising the death toll from 50 earlier in the day. |
In the town of San Vicente rescue workers pulled bodies from the wreckage of houses. | In the town of San Vicente rescue workers pulled bodies from the wreckage of houses. |
"We rescued a man this morning who had fractures, and a little girl," resident Cristian Aguilar told Reuters news agency. | "We rescued a man this morning who had fractures, and a little girl," resident Cristian Aguilar told Reuters news agency. |
"My son and I crossed through the floodwater and brought them here, and now she is with her parents." | "My son and I crossed through the floodwater and brought them here, and now she is with her parents." |
News of the deaths came as Hurricane Ida, which has now strengthened to a category two storm, was poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico. | News of the deaths came as Hurricane Ida, which has now strengthened to a category two storm, was poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico. |
However, Ida, which passed to the east of El Salvador three days ago, is not thought to have directly caused the severe rains. | |
The BBC's weather centre said El Salvador's rains were mainly caused by a separate low pressure system in the Pacific. | |
Are you or is someone you know in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments or experiences using the form below. | Are you or is someone you know in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments or experiences using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |