Heavy rains have caused flash flooding on the Guadalupe River in the US state of Texas, killing at least 24 people and leaving dozens missing. Among them-23 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located on the banks of the river.
Local officials said the water level rose eight metres in just 45 minutes, leaving no time for evacuations.
The US National Weather Service declared a state of emergency.
By Friday evening, 237 people had been rescued or evacuated. US President Donald Trump has pledged to provide federal aid to those affected. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a declaration declaring the state of emergency and said the state’s resources for rescue operations would be “unlimited”.
Authorities acknowledge that despite storm forecasts, the scale of the disaster was unpredictable. Texas has cancelled all Independence Day festivities for the July 4 holiday, including fireworks. Rescue efforts continue, and the threat of new flooding remains.