This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22033533
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Argentina flash floods claim more lives | Argentina flash floods claim more lives |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Catastrophic flash floods have killed 57 people in the province of Buenos Aires, while hundreds more remain homeless, officials say. | Catastrophic flash floods have killed 57 people in the province of Buenos Aires, while hundreds more remain homeless, officials say. |
The worst hit is the city of La Plata, where 51 people died. Six people also died in the capital Buenos Aires. | The worst hit is the city of La Plata, where 51 people died. Six people also died in the capital Buenos Aires. |
Many victims drowned as they tried to scramble to safety on rooftops and treetops and some were electrocuted. | Many victims drowned as they tried to scramble to safety on rooftops and treetops and some were electrocuted. |
The government declared three days of national mourning after what it called "an unprecedented catastrophe". | The government declared three days of national mourning after what it called "an unprecedented catastrophe". |
Some 100,000 households were destroyed by the floods, La Plata mayor Pablo Bruera said. | Some 100,000 households were destroyed by the floods, La Plata mayor Pablo Bruera said. |
Although the torrential rains have stopped and the waters completely receded, power lines are yet to be restored. | Although the torrential rains have stopped and the waters completely receded, power lines are yet to be restored. |
Hundreds of government workers are distributing water, food supplies and clothing at dozens of shelters across the province. | Hundreds of government workers are distributing water, food supplies and clothing at dozens of shelters across the province. |
Homes canvassed | Homes canvassed |
Rescue workers canvassed 5,940 homes in La Plata "without any new fatal victims found", Buenos Aires province governor Daniel Scioli confirmed. | Rescue workers canvassed 5,940 homes in La Plata "without any new fatal victims found", Buenos Aires province governor Daniel Scioli confirmed. |
Officials had said on Thursday they were still looking for about 20 missing people. | Officials had said on Thursday they were still looking for about 20 missing people. |
Mobile hospitals have been opened and hepatitis shots are being administered at evacuation centres. | Mobile hospitals have been opened and hepatitis shots are being administered at evacuation centres. |
So far more than 40 of the victims in La Plata, about 60km (40 miles) south of the capital, have been identified. | So far more than 40 of the victims in La Plata, about 60km (40 miles) south of the capital, have been identified. |
Provincial officials said 40cm (16in) of rain fell on La Plata in the space of two hours late on Tuesday night. | Provincial officials said 40cm (16in) of rain fell on La Plata in the space of two hours late on Tuesday night. |
Earlier, the storm dumped 15cm of rainfall on the capital, Buenos Aires. | Earlier, the storm dumped 15cm of rainfall on the capital, Buenos Aires. |
"We've never seen anything like it," said provincial governor Daniel Scioli. | "We've never seen anything like it," said provincial governor Daniel Scioli. |
"People were taken by surprise, and some didn't have time to escape this deadly trap." | "People were taken by surprise, and some didn't have time to escape this deadly trap." |
More than 3,000 people had to leave their homes and 80,000 lost electricity, with two of La Plata's hospitals also affected by the power cuts. | More than 3,000 people had to leave their homes and 80,000 lost electricity, with two of La Plata's hospitals also affected by the power cuts. |
Some of La Plata's residents set up roadblocks to protect their neighbourhoods from looters. | Some of La Plata's residents set up roadblocks to protect their neighbourhoods from looters. |
On Wednesday, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner visited Tolosa, the worst-hit area of La Plata, where she grew up and where her mother still lives. | On Wednesday, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner visited Tolosa, the worst-hit area of La Plata, where she grew up and where her mother still lives. |
Ms Fernandez acknowledged residents' fears and promised to increase security. | Ms Fernandez acknowledged residents' fears and promised to increase security. |
Before her arrival, dozens of people had looted a supermarket. Three police officers were injured in scuffles with people trying to break into two other supermarkets. | Before her arrival, dozens of people had looted a supermarket. Three police officers were injured in scuffles with people trying to break into two other supermarkets. |
Previous version
1
Next version