Chile rescues families and pets from rising floodwaters
Personnel from the Special Police Operations Group (GOPE) and the Air Section of Carabineros de Chile rescued 19 people and 13 pets trapped by flooding in the Coquimbo region of northern Chile.
Rescue operations focused on Limari province, where several families were cut off after waterways overflowed following heavy rainfall caused by a powerful frontal system. In some cases, helicopters were used to reach people who had taken refuge on the roofs of their homes.
Head of GOPE in Coquimbo, Major Felipe Rozas, highlighted the coordination between ground and air rescue teams.
"By virtue of the rescues taking place today with the Aeropolice Prefecture and the intervention of GOPE in Coquimbo, some evacuations of people have already been carried out. We once again reinforce the commitment that Carabineros has to all the citizens of the commune," he said.
Carabineros regional chief General Christian Brebi said two adults and three children were evacuated in the commune of Monte Patria. In the Lagunillas sector, another 12 people, including a foreign family, were rescued along with their pets after being trapped by rising floodwaters. Three more people were evacuated from the Trapiche sector, bringing the total to 19 people and 13 animals rescued.
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Brebi urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and flooded areas, and follow official updates.
The Coquimbo region remains under Meteorological Alert, the highest warning level, as the persistent frontal system continues to increase the risk of further flooding.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
