Deadly Winds Sweep Argentina, Claiming Lives of at Least 13

A powerful storm in Argentina has resulted in the death of at least 13 people and injuries to others in the port city of Bahía Blanca, as reported by Mayor Federico Susbielles and local authorities.

The winds in the city reached a speed of up to 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour on Saturday. By 3:30 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) Sunday, at least 300 individuals had been evacuated, according to local authorities.

The city council took to social media on Saturday night to declare the storm's impact as a "catastrophe," noting numerous injuries, including some that were "extremely serious." The council also highlighted the sports club Bahiense del Norte as the most critical location, where medical emergency and civil defense personnel were actively responding.

James' flamingos in the Great Lake Reserve with the pink lake in the background in El Penon, Jujuy, Argentina

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The mayor, Susbielles, took to X (previously known as Twitter) on Sunday to announce three days of mourning in the city following the tragic loss of 13 individuals. He expressed solidarity with the families and urged citizens to prioritize safety by staying home, emphasizing the ongoing emergency situation with risks of electrical hazards and falling trees and structures.

Around midday local time, an update was posted on X stating that the city council's Crisis Committee had convened to strategize their next steps. The city's emergency teams received 103,544 calls reporting downed trees, power lines, signs, and other damage, as mentioned in a statement on Sunday.

The office of Argentinas President Javier Milei said Saturday that the national cabinet is working with provincial and municipal authorities to help the victims and respond to the damage.