13 dead, 22 missing in Guatemala and Mexico after heavy rains and flash floods
- 13 people including 8 children were still missing after a sewage-polluted river swollen by heavy rains swept away precarious homes in the Guatemalan capital
- In Mexico, at least 7 people died and 9 were missing after heavy rain turned a mountain stream into a torrent of floodwater that swept away villagers
Two children and four adults were found dead on Monday after a river swollen by heavy rains swept away shacks built on its banks in the Guatemalan capital, authorities said.
Thirteen people, including eight children, were still missing after the river tore through the Dios es Fiel (God is Faithful) shantytown in the early morning hours, according to the Conred disaster relief agency.
Hundreds of firemen, police, soldiers, and volunteers were taking part in the rescue efforts.
The Naranjo river washed away six homes in an informal settlement erected under a bridge in the centre of Guatemala City, Conred spokesman Rodolfo Garcia told reporters.
Hundreds of homeless people had erected shacks consisting mainly of zinc sheets on the banks of the river despite a municipal prohibition due to it containing residential waste water from the capital’s sewage system.
