A storm that has already killed at least 13 people in Argentina made its way through Buenos Aires Sunday morning, drenching the city and bringing strong winds that led to reports of power outages and damage across the capital.
The nation’s weather service Buenos Aires residents warned that the storm put the capital on orange alert, the second highest. There were reports of power outages across the city. ON
On Saturday, the storm hit Bahía Blanca, a port city about 400 miles south of Buenos Aires, with gusts of up to 86 miles per hour, making it comparable to a category one hurricane,, blowing off the roofs of buildings and killing at least 13 people.
President Javier Milei and the mayor of Bahía Blanca confirmed the deaths.
Fifteen injured people were taken to hospital, according to the city of Bahía Blancawhich on Sunday saw the intervention of 250 security and emergency workers.
Images published by local media showed harrowing scenes in Bahía Blanca, where more than 300,000 people live.
The video showed violent winds whip the sides of skyscrapers accompanied by distant flashes of lightning and a suffocating haze that blankets much of the city. The images showed large trees felled and buildings in tatters, some with their roofs blown off or collapsed. The city said more than 1,000 trees fell.
The worst damage occurred at a basketball gym, Club Bahiense del Norte, officials said, where emergency medical workers were working to treat victims.
In a statement, Mr Milei said his Cabinet officials were assisting local authorities.
“The President expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who died as a result of the storm,” read a statement released shortly after 11pm local time.
Johnny Diaz contributed to the reporting.