BUENOS AIRES, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A powerful storm led to the deaths of at least 13 people Saturday in the Argentina port city of Bahia Blanca when the roof of a sports club collapsed, authorities said.
The heavy rains and wind that pummelled Bahia Blanca caused the roof to give way at a facility where a skating competition was taking place, according to sources from the mayor’s office.
“Unfortunately, the emergency service confirms the death of 13 people in the Bahiense del Norte club,” the municipality said in a statement, adding that firefighters were working at the site where people remained trapped under rubble.
Winds of more than 140 kilometers per hour were recorded in the city, parts of which lost power.
The alert for severe storms that the SMN had issued was fulfilled with special force in the city of White Baywhich was hit by tragedy this Saturday: At least 13 people died as a result of a roof collapse at a sports club.
The fatal incident occurred at the club facilitiesb Northern Bahian and was confirmed by the city Municipality, around 9:45 p.m. There would also be a high number of injuries.
«Unfortunately, the emergency service Always confirms the death of 13 people at the Bahiense del Norte club. “Firefighters continue working at the scene, since people are still under the rubble,” stated the letter, spread on networks.
The club is known for being the one that trained the basketball player Emanuel Ginobilia prominent figure both abroad and in the national team.
In videos that were shared on the networks, it was possible to see the intensity of the phenomenon with large accumulations of rain in just a few minutes and winds that comfortably exceeded 100 km/h.
Local media indicated that a large part of the city remains without light currentlywhile the bad weather is expected to persist overnight this Saturday, according to the latest forecasts.
On its X account (former Twitter), the municipality of Bahía Blanca confirmed that there are «multiple injured by roof blasts, some extremely serious“, and described the storm that hit the city as a “catastrophe.”
“The most complex event is recorded in the Bahiense del Norte Club, the medical emergency and civil defense are working at the scene,” stated the text released in the afternoon.
On the other hand, the authorities reported that All emergency forces are deployed in the city to assist the injured and affected people, with their subsequent transfer to the Municipal Hospital.
Evacuation centers were also activated, located at Club Estrella, Club Olimpo and Dow Center. — NNN-AGENCIES