Argentina has declared three days of national mourning following catastrophic flash floods that ravaged the port city of Bahia Blanca, leaving at least 16 people dead, officials announced late Sunday.

“There are 16 confirmed deaths, but there are likely to be more,” Mayor Federico Susbielles stated on X, underscoring the grim reality as rescue teams continue searching for the missing. Concerns are mounting that the death toll could rise as the search efforts persist.

Among the most heartbreaking incidents was the tragic loss of two young sisters, aged 1 and 5, who were swept away by floodwaters after climbing onto a van’s roof with their mother in a desperate attempt to escape the rising waters.

The federal government has pledged 10 billion pesos ($9.2 million) in emergency relief funds. President Javier Milei’s office issued a statement vowing that “all areas of the national government will remain dedicated to assisting the victims in this moment of sorrow for all Argentines.”

Argentina’s football icon Lionel Messi extended his condolences via Instagram, posting: “Much strength to all those who are having a rough time in this difficult moment.”

The disaster struck on Friday when a year’s worth of rain deluged Bahia Blanca, a critical port city in Buenos Aires province. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, and thousands were left without power.

Experts are warning that this catastrophe serves as yet another stark illustration of escalating climate risks. “This is a clear example of climate change,” said Andrea Dufourg, an environmental official, emphasizing the need for cities to enhance early warning systems and resilience measures.

Though Bahia Blanca has faced deadly storms before, officials are calling this flooding one of the worst in the city’s history.

In response to the tragedy, Buenos Aires has emerged as a hub of solidarity. On Monday, March 10, numerous churches, sports clubs, railway stations, and foundations across the city established collection points to gather essential supplies for the flood victims in the southwestern Buenos Aires province.

Volunteers are collecting non-perishable food, drinking water, clothing, footwear, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. The response has been overwhelming, with some collection points exceeding expectations. The Nuestra Senora de Caacupe parish in Caballito has been receiving donations since Sunday morning, with the first truck scheduled to depart for Bahia Blanca on Tuesday or Wednesday.

As the nation mourns, efforts continue to provide relief to the devastated communities, while the country grapples with the broader implications of the disaster and the urgent need for enhanced resilience against future climate threats.

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