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- Floods, landslides in Mexico leave at least 41 dead (foxnews.com)
MEXICO CITY – At least 41 individuals have died across central and southeastern Mexico following days of relentless torrential rainfall that triggered widespread floods and devastating landslides, authorities confirmed Saturday.
The grim death toll climbed as thousands of soldiers were deployed to scour the destruction left in the wake of receding waters. Their efforts focused on clearing roads, which were choked with trees and vehicles, and conducting rescue operations for those still reported missing.
In Poza Rica, an oil town situated 170 miles northeast of Mexico City, residents recounted harrowing experiences to reporters. Many described hearing the terrifying roar of a wall of water and the sound of cars crashing into one another before streets were submerged under more than 12 feet of water on Friday. Tragically, not everyone managed to evacuate in time.
Shadack Azuara, 27, shared his personal tragedy, stating he had visited his uncle’s home at 3 a.m. Friday, prior to the floods, but received no answer at the door.
Returning Saturday, he discovered his uncle facedown and shirtless in the murky water surrounding his bed, an apparent drowning victim. “We thought he had gone, that he had evacuated with all of those who left,” Azuara lamented.
The heavy rains have severely impacted multiple states. Mexico’s National Coordination of Civil Protection reported Saturday that 16 people died in the state of Hidalgo, north of Mexico City, where power was cut to 150 communities.
Further east, in the state of Puebla, at least nine fatalities were confirmed, and more than 16,000 homes were either damaged or completely destroyed.
The state of Veracruz saw 15 deaths, prompting extensive rescue operations by the army and navy. These efforts targeted residents in dozens of communities left isolated after landslides and swollen streams rendered roadways impassable. Authorities in Veracruz also noted that 16,000 homes were damaged across the Gulf coast state’s 55 municipalities.
Earlier in the week, in the central state of Querétaro, a child tragically lost their life after being caught in a landslide.
Across the affected region, authorities are actively searching for 27 individuals who remain missing as rescue and recovery operations continue.
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- Floods, landslides in Mexico leave at least 41 dead (foxnews.com)