Tropical Storm Kills 12 In
Guatemala, 11 Missing
GUATEMALA - Tropical storm Agatha has left
12 people dead and 11 missing in Guatemala,
and forced the evacuation of about 3,000,
officials said Saturday.
Two adults and two children were killed when
a boulder dislodged by the rains crushed
their home in Alomolonga, in Quetzaltenango
province, about 200 km west of the capital,
emergency officials said.
An additional 11 people were reported
missing as Agatha, the first storm of the
current Pacific hurricane season, picked up
momentum and heavy rains flooded three
rivers in the west part of the country.
Guatemala has declared a state of emergency
as the storm moved closer with a maximum
sustained wind speed of 75 km per hour.
President Alvaro Colom said the government
would seek 85 million dollars in loan for
relief to storm victims and those affected
by the ongoing eruption of volcano Pacaya.
"The worst will come around 9 a.m. (Sunday)
and we are extending the state of emergency
to the entire country," Colom said.
Agatha is expected to arrive in Guatemala
Sunday and gradually weaken as it moves
inland, but the rains would continue to fall
through Tuesday, said Eddy Sanchez, head of
the Meteorological and Seismology Institue. |
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