Global Courant
The current of the Las Vacas River swept away at least six homes in the Dios es faithful settlement in zone 7 of the capital, just under the El Naranjo bridge, and left a trail of death and destruction.
Images captured five months ago by Google Earth of what the place was like before the tragedy, while drone shots captured by Prensa Libre and Guatevisión show the disaster area.
Municipal authorities and relief bodies had already warned that this point was highly risky for living, due to the topography and the risks due to the flooding of the river.
The rain and the collapse of a dam caused the humble homes built of sticks and sheets to be washed away, to the point that one of the victims was located 15 kilometers from the settlement.
The search tasks extended from ground zero of the tragedy to the Las Vacas hydroelectric plant in Chinautla.
Chronology
1. Heavy rain is recorded during the night of Sunday the 24th and early morning of the 25th of September.
2. 0.50 hours – A current destroys at least 6 homes.
3. 1:50 hours – At least 19 people were reported missing.
4. 2.34 HOURS – The first firefighters arrive at the scene.
5. 7 hours – The first fatality is confirmed. She is a 5 year old girl.
6. 10 hours – A second body was located 15 kilometers from the point of the tragedy.
7. 10:15 am – The third victim was located three kilometers above the Las Vacas River.
8. Between 10 and 11 hours – They locate three more bodies in the riverbed.
9. 2 p.m. – Relatives have not yet been able to identify the victims.
10. 4 p.m. – Lifeguards suspended the search due to the rain.
Read also: Emergency under the El Naranjo bridge: At least 19 people have been swept away by the current and lifeless people are located
