At least six people have died after heavy rains caused flooding in an Argentinian port city.
More than 260mm of rain fell within a few hours in Bahia Blanca, southwest of the capital Buenos Aires, on Friday.
The city said the ensuing flood destroyed bridges and caused roads to collapse, and added more fatalities could be recorded.
Homes and hospitals were also evacuated, with images posted online showing mothers fleeing a flooded health centre carrying their newborn babies.
Federico Susbielles, mayor of the city, said Bahia Blanca was “hit by a natural disaster once again” and that “the situation has become very critical”.
“The number (of dead) has risen to six and at the moment it cannot be ruled out – given the magnitude of what happened – that there may be more fatalities,” he said at around 7.30pm local time.
Defence minister Luis Petri added that Argentinian President Javier Milei requested a full mobilisation of all resources – including the armed forces – in response.
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“We are on the ground, working with the municipality and accompanying those affected so that assistance arrives quickly and where it is most needed,” he added.
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Mr Milei’s spokesperson Manuel Adorni said the president cancelled his scheduled activities in Mendoza province on Saturday, but did not say whether he would travel to the city.
