The rescue teams in Argentina are on the hunt for two young girls, aged one and five, who were carried away by the severe floods that impacted Buenos Aires province, causing the deaths of at least 16 individuals. A deluge equating to a full year’s worth of rain inundated the city of Bahía Blanca and the town of Cerri on Friday. This flooding, measuring 400mm (15.7in) in just eight hours, far surpassed the previous record set in 1930 of 175mm (6.8in). The sisters, Delfina and Pilar Hecker, along with their parents, found themselves trapped by the rising waters. Rubén Zalazar, a 43-year-old truck driver, lost his life while trying to save the children. Their bodies were found in a lagoon on Sunday.
As per the latest reports, at least 100 individuals are still unaccounted for, based on an official statement from Carlos Bianco, a minister in the Buenos Aires province. It is estimated that more than 1,000 people had to be evacuated and hundreds were left without homes. Videos on social media showed neonatal nurses navigating through knee-deep floodwaters to rescue newborns. Soledad Bengochea, a 52-year-old resident described the harrowing experience of witnessing cars, trucks, and containers adrift, alongside hearing store windows shattering and furniture being swept away.
Patricia Bullrich, the national security minister, stated that the affected area was “destroyed” prompting President Javier Milei to declare three days of national mourning. However, the government faced criticism as it was revealed that the national emergency directorate, responsible for disaster relief, was closed down three days prior to the storm with 485 employees dismissed or placed on leave, a decision aligning with the current administration’s extensive cuts to public spending.
Federico Susbielles, the mayor, reported significant infrastructure damage. asserted that whole houses remain submerged under water and that the reconstruction of the entire city is required. To aid in this effort, Argentina’s economy ministry has allocated AR$10bn (US$9.2m at the official exchange rate) for repair and rebuilding. Condolences have been expressed by Lionel Messi and Pope Francis, with the pontiff, who is currently hospitalized in Rome, offering thoughts and prayers for those affected.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/10/argentina-flooding
