Mudslides sweep away vehicles, flood homes in Chile's Santiago
A powerful debris flow swept through eastern Santiago, Chile, on Thursday afternoon, dragging away vehicles, flooding homes and leaving at least six people injured.
The torrent of water, mud and stones struck San Carlos de Apoquindo in the Las Condes municipality, flooding residential buildings, a clinic and University of the Andes facilities, where several people were reportedly trapped.
Resident Sonia Rocha described how hail was followed by a sudden rush of muddy water that swept through her home, overturning furniture and forcing her family to rescue their pets.
“It was something terrible, terrible and very fast,” she recalled, describing how water, mud and branches rapidly filled the house.
Authorities reported six injuries, including a baby under one year old who suffered a fracture. Firefighters, police, military personnel and municipal teams were deployed for rescue operations.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Six countries account for three-quarters of Europe’s unicorn startups
Chilean President José Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe in Las Condes to mobilise emergency resources.
The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) also issued a red alert for landslide risks across ten municipalities in Santiago, with classes suspended in affected areas.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
