A candlelight memorial was held in San Antonio on Monday night to remember the victims of the tragic flash floods that hit Kerrville and other portions of central Texas on 4 July, killing at least a 100 people, including children.
Search teams continue to make their way through muddy riverbanks in the hope of finding those who are still missing.
Dozens of locals, city officials, and community members raised candles in prayer and silence under the stars.
At the event, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the tragedy is hard to comprehend.
“I can’t fathom the sorrow that many are feeling just an hour north of us, as they were, in the night’s darkness, enduring this rare weather occurrence that, sadly, claimed too many lives. And sadly, a few of the most at-risk.
While participants carried candles and signs that said 'Kerrville Strong,' Mayor Ortiz Jones promised ongoing assistance to the impacted communities.
"The task will proceed," she said. “It’s going to be quite a lengthy journey. As I mentioned to the Kerrville mayor, we will support them throughout the entire process. That's exactly what we should focus on during this period."
District One Mayor Sukh Kaur also addressed the vigil, and provided messages of solace and strength.
“Today we stand strong for those who are still reconstructing. We inhale for those who can no longer inhale. And we care for those who continue to mourn."
Among the many residents who came to pay their respects was Peter Peeroruac a 53-year-old, who described the past few days as overwhelming, and said everyone is united in their grief.
“It’s a lot of human suffering,” he said. “I saw a lot of devastation, chaos. Just needed some answers, and coming together with other people to share the same thoughts… this candlelight vigil may not be a lot, but it is something that we can all come together and share as a human emotion.”
It was a predawn storm that caused the catastrophic floods, transforming the usual peaceful Guadalupe River into an erupting flood that tore through towns and rural regions. The majority of the deaths happened in Kerrville, where a Christian girls' summer camp called Camp Mystic suffered enormous losses.
By Monday afternoon, officials said that 84 bodies had been retrieved in Kerr County, comprising of 56 adults and 28 children. Ten campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic were still missing, and at least 41 individuals were unaccounted for in adjacent counties.
San Antonio resident and an educator, Danielle Lopez said the death of so many children was heart breaking.
“Me as an educator and my sister as a mom, we have a very deep, soft space in our heart for children,” she said. “I’ve seen generations of my students grow. And I just wish that our children had the opportunity to grow, too. That’s what we’re here for—we protect all children just as we protect our own.”
Edwin Stephens lives locally and said the tragic event is incomprehensible. “I can’t fully understand what some parents are experiencing. It's simply very sad.
Despite the ongoing grief, officials remain focused on the search and rescue mission, though forecasts of further rain threaten to complicate efforts.
In the face of loss, the candlelight vigil in San Antonio offered a moment of unity and support for the families and communities left reeling in the wake of disaster.
The governments of Malaysia and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation on the occasion of the w...
The agreement between Russia and Oman to mutually waive visas will come into force on 18th July, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement....
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned renewable energy company, and Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest energy firms, have signed two major agreements...
Britain and France have agreed to procure additional highly lethal Storm Shadow cruise missiles and accelerate development of their replacement, under...
Moscow and Washington reaffirmed their mutual commitment to pursuing “peaceful solutions to conflict situations” on Thursday, as Russian Foreign M...
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday called for stronger sanctions against Russia to intensify pressure to end the war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has survived a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament, overcoming accusations of secrecy and mismanagement by far-right lawmakers.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) abandon what he described as 'double standards' in its approach to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Northern Cyprus said it's ready to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan, particularly in tourism and education according to TRNC President Ersin Tatar.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old city in northern Peru that likely served as a key trade hub connecting ancient coastal, Andean, and Amazonian cultures.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged stronger sanctions and defence support for Ukraine as the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia nears approval.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
As pressure mounts over military spending and shifting defence priorities, top U.S. and South Korean generals have met in Seoul to reaffirm their alliance and address growing tensions surrounding cost-sharing and regional security.
At a major Beijing forum, President Xi Jinping highlighted the need to bridge cultural divides through dialogue, promoting a global network that supports peaceful coexistence and sustainable development amid worldwide uncertainty.
As Washington prepares to impose new tariffs, Japan has voiced concern over global trade tensions, urging stronger support for multilateral economic systems during ASEAN talks in Kuala Lumpur.
European Union member states have asked the European Commission to keep secret their national strategies for phasing out Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027.
Chinese and Russian foreign ministers met in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the Iranian nuclear program and regional security, emphasizing dialogue over force amid recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment