Mexico floods leave 70 dead, survivors plead for urgent aid

Catastrophic floods in central and eastern Mexico have claimed 70 lives, left 75 people missing, and displaced thousands, as survivors plead for government assistance while navigating streets covered in mud and debris.

The disaster, caused by torrential rains and overflowing rivers, has severely affected the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro, with Veracruz hardest hit. Families like Cruz Hernandez, who spent three days searching for her daughter and grandson, voiced frustration over delayed aid.

“I want the government to support us, to help people who cannot find their relatives. As a mother, I have been through this before,” Hernandez said, recounting the harrowing search through mud and wreckage.

Flood survivors are struggling not only with lost homes but also with deteriorating public health conditions. Angel Leyva, another resident, warned of risks from rot, debris, and stagnant water.

“There is a lot of trash lying around, there is a lot of rot, the animals stink…Diseases, skin fungi, hemorrhagic dengue, Zika, countless diseases. No doctors have come. We need them. We have children,” Leyva said.

The Mexican Navy and volunteer groups have been assisting by delivering water, mattresses, and cleaning supplies. Streets remain muddy and blocked with rubble, while motorbikes and pedestrians navigate the treacherous conditions.

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the death toll and missing persons:

“Unfortunately, 70 people have died, 30 in Veracruz, 21 in Hidalgo, 18 in Puebla, and one in Querétaro, and 72 people are still missing. It is essential to note that several people have been located; however, other people have been reported missing, and unfortunately, their families have been unable to find them.”

Authorities are coordinating rescue and relief operations, but survivors continue to urge faster response, highlighting gaps in emergency preparedness amid ongoing devastation.

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