Heavy rains in Guatemala City triggered a flash flood early Monday, leading to the destruction of several modest homes that were swept into a river. Tragically, six people, including a young girl, have been confirmed dead, while 12 individuals, including 10 minors, remain missing. The 5-year-old girl was found partially buried in debris and mud roughly 3 miles downstream along the Naranjo river. Guatemala’s National Disaster Reduction Coordinator stated that authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of six victims, with 12 others still unaccounted for.
During a press conference, officials in Guatemala City explained that a dam was formed upstream due to garbage and debris, causing the Naranjo river to pool water during the heavy overnight rainfall. When the dam ultimately broke, a powerful torrent was unleashed, carrying away the vulnerable homes located closest to the river’s edge. It was revealed that residents of the neighborhood had received multiple warnings to evacuate the area due to the risk of flooding.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m., washing away six homes along with the families residing in them. Firefighters initiated a search operation at 5 a.m. Rescuer-provided images displayed remnants of household items scattered in the muddy surroundings near the riverbank. The military established a command center to oversee the ongoing rescue endeavor.