Disaster has hit Texas as a minimum of 109 individuals have been confirmed killed and over 160 are still unaccounted for after deadly flash floods swept through the state, most affecting riverside areas in the Guadalupe River.
The authorities reported that 87 of the verified deaths took place in Kerr County, which was among the areas hardest hit by the flooding. The victims included campers and personnel at Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp based in Hunt, Texas. The camp said on Monday that at least 27 campers and counselors perished in the tragedy, as per Xinhua news agency.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, speaking to the press on Tuesday, reported that approximately 161 individuals remain missing, and pledged search and rescue operations will persist along the damaged river system. He encouraged residents to help authorities by providing any information on friends or relatives who may be missing.
"Our hearts are shattered along with our families who are going through this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them day and night," was the statement made by Camp Mystic in a public release. "We have been in communication with local and state officials who are working around the clock deploying wide-ranging resources to locate our missing girls."
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported at least five campers and one counselor as missing. The camp had 750 children when the waters swept through, he said.
In response to the extent of the tragedy, US President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, after a request by Governor Abbott. The Governor toured the flood-destroyed summer camp on Saturday, describing later the devastation as "horrendously ravaged."
The world, in the meantime, has shown sympathy. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres showed profound sorrow over the sad events.
“The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life, notably of a large number of children, caused by the recent floods in Texas, which struck during what should have been a time of celebration over the holiday weekend,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement.
Guterres expressed his sympathies to the victims' families and solidarity with the victims, as well as to Texas and all of the United States.
As rescue workers search the area day and night, the full severity of the disaster is unclear, the number of fatalities rising and many families left waiting to hear if their loved ones are safe.
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