Venezuela floods: four missing after heavy rains trigger devastation
Heavy rains in Venezuela caused flooding in Caracas and Aragua, leaving at least four people missing and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
Torrential rains across Venezuela over the weekend triggered severe flooding in Caracas and neighbouring states, leaving at least four people missing and prompting a major search and rescue operation.
In the Caracas neighbourhood of La Vega, overflowing waterways sent floodwaters rushing through streets and homes. Authorities reported that a woman and her young son disappeared after they were thrown from a motorcycle and swept into a drainage system near the Monumental stadium.
In Aragua state, the search is focused on the Aragua River, where a couple, identified as Eduardo Barbera and Zuleika Morillo, were reported missing after the strong current dragged their SUV into the water. The vehicle was later recovered, badly damaged and empty.
More than 100 rescuers, security personnel and volunteers have been deployed along several kilometres of the river to locate the missing individuals. Search operations were temporarily suspended on Sunday night due to darkness and intermittent rain, with efforts scheduled to resume early Monday morning.
The heavy rainfall has been attributed to Tropical Wave 40, which moved across the country over the weekend. In response, the government has activated the national Civil Protection system to coordinate relief and response efforts as flooding continues to affect multiple regions.