BAHIA BLANCA, Argentina, March 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Argentina announced three
days of national mourning late Sunday after authorities raised the death toll
from recent flash flooding to 16, with more still missing.

The deadly floods struck Friday when a year's worth of rain fell in a matter
of hours in and around Bahia Blanca, a major port city located in the south
of Buenos Aires province, with entire neighborhoods inundated by the fast-
rising waters.

The Latin American nation has been particularly shaken by tragic reports of
two girls, aged one and five, being swept away in the torrent.

Provincial security minister Javier Alonso confirmed their disappearance
Sunday, saying the sisters had climbed onto the roof of a van with their
mother to escape the rising waters when a surge ripped them away. Their
mother was rescued.

Divers were continuing to search the area, where more than a meter of water
remained, Alonso told the Radio Mitre outlet.

Bahia Blanca Mayor Federico Susbielles, meanwhile, told a press conference
that the flooding had caused $400 million in infrastructure damage.

Later, in a post on X, he said "there are 16 confirmed deaths, but there are
likely to be more" as search efforts continue.

The storm left much of the surrounding coastal area without power. At one
point, city officials in Bahia Blanco suspended electricity due to the huge
amount of water in the streets.

Argentine President Javier Milei "will declare three days of national
mourning" for the deaths, his office said late Sunday, without specifying
when the period would begin.

"All areas of the national government will remain dedicated... to assisting
the victims in this moment of sorrow for all Argentines," the presidency said
in a statement.

The government has authorized emergency reconstruction aid of 10 billion
pesos ($9.2 million at the official exchange rate).

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi offered his condolences on
Instagram to the victims' families

"Much strength to all those who are having a rough time in this difficult
moment," he wrote.

Environment official Andrea Dufourg said this weekend that the extreme
weather event "is a clear example of climate change."

"Unfortunately this will continue to take place... we have no other option
than to prepare cities, educate citizens, establish effective early warning
systems," said Dufourg, who is director of environmental policy for the city
of Ituzaingo outside Buenos Aires.

Bahia Blanca has suffered past weather-related disasters, including a storm
in December 2023 that claimed 13 lives. It caused houses to collapse and
provoked widespread infrastructure damage.