by Admin
10/3/2025
Argentina has declared three days of national mourning after devastating floods swept through some parts of the country and claimed at least 16 lives, with more victims still unaccounted for.
The disaster struck on Friday when an unprecedented downpour equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall hit Bahia Blanca, a major port city in the Buenos Aires province.
Entire neighborhoods were submerged as floodwaters rose rapidly, leaving residents scrambling for safety.
Among the most harrowing reports is the disappearance of two young sisters, aged one and five, who were swept away by the floodwaters.
Provincial Security Minister Javier Alonso confirmed on Sunday that the girls had been sheltering on the roof of a van with their mother when a powerful tide tore them away from their mother.
Their mother was rescued, but search efforts for the children continue.
Divers are still combing the flooded areas, where water levels remain over a meter high, Alonso told Radio Mitre.
Meanwhile, Bahia Blanca Mayor Federico Susbielles reported that the disaster had caused major destruction which resulted in an estimated $400 million in infrastructure damage.
In a social media post on X, Susbielles confirmed the official death toll had reached 16 but warned that the number could rise as rescue operations continue.
The flooding also left much of the surrounding coastal region without power, and at one point, authorities cut electricity in Bahia Blanca due to dangerously high water levels in the streets.
President Javier Milei’s office announced the national mourning period on Sunday night, though no specific start date was provided.
In a statement, the presidency vowed that “all areas of the national government will remain dedicated to assisting the victims in this moment of sorrow for all Argentines.”
The government has allocated 10 billion pesos ($9.2 million at the official exchange rate) for emergency reconstruction efforts.
The tragedy has also drawn international attention, with Argentine football star Lionel Messi expressing his condolences to the victims’ families. “Much strength to all those who are having a rough time in this difficult moment,” he wrote on Instagram.
Environmental officials have linked the disaster to climate change.
Andrea Dufourg, director of environmental policy for the city of Ituzaingo, described the extreme weather as “a clear example of climate change.”
She emphasized the urgent need for improved urban planning, citizen education, and effective early warning systems to mitigate future disasters.
Bahia Blanca has a history of severe weather events, including a deadly storm in December 2023 that killed 13 people and caused widespread damage.