A severe storm in Argentina caused the roof of a sports pavilion at the Bahiense del Norte Club to collapse, leaving at least 13 dead. The incident took place in Bahía Blanca, in the province of Buenos Aires, during a skating competition. There, the crowd witnessed the roof of the sports venue collapse due to a storm with 90 mph gusts of wind.
#WATCH | 🇦🇷 #Argentina: Destruction and total damage in CABA neighborhoods by the #STORM. At least 13 people are counted dead and several injured by the collapse of the #BRESH stage (outdoor event).
🚨 Wind gusts exceeded 150 km/h. pic.twitter.com/1HEWLo1FKn
— VOZ (@Voz_US) December 17, 2023
Mayor Federico Susbielles reported the tragic news. He posted the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account and asked people to exercise extreme caution:
With great sorrow, 13 fatalities have been confirmed so far. We ask the community to be extremely careful and to stay off public roads.
Con muchisimo dolor, se confirmaron hasta el momento 13 victimas fatales.
Solicitamos a la comunidad extremar los cuidados y no circular por la via publica.
— Federico Susbielles (@fsusbielles) December 17, 2023
Hours later, Susbielles updated the information and revealed that the number of fatalities remains at 13. In addition, he put into effect a town decree of 72 hours of mourning. Along with this, the mayor reminded residents of Bahía Blanca to stay home since they are still "in an emergency situation, with electrical risk and risk of falling trees and structures."
First of all, I would like to reaffirm our solidarity with the families and loved ones of the 13 deceased. Accordingly, we have decreed 72 hours of mourning in the city.
En primer lugar, quiero reafirmar nuestra solidaridad con los familiares y seres queridos de las 13 personas fallecidas. En concordancia, hemos decretado el duelo en la ciudad por las próximas 72 horas. pic.twitter.com/MPdK4LxgCs
— Federico Susbielles (@fsusbielles) December 17, 2023
The Bahía Blanca Municipality reported in the early hours of the morning that emergency services managed to evacuate about 315 people from the town and will continue to work and provide help to anyone who needs it:
Update information | 3.30 AM At this time 315 people have been evacuated. Early this morning, different Fire Departments of the Province, together with the Civil Defense and municipal workers, will remove trees to clear the streets.
ACTUALIZACIÓN INFORMACIÓN | 3.30 AM
A esta hora se registran 315 personas evacuadas.
Durante la madrugada, diferentes Cuerpos de Bomberos de la Provincia, junto a Defensa Civil, y trabajadores municipales, removerán árboles para despejar las calles.
— Municipio Bahía Blanca (@MunicipioBahia) December 17, 2023
The storm is expected to subside throughout this Sunday. However, ABC reports, there could be rain throughout the day followed by clouds.
The new president of Argentina, Javier Milei, shows his solidarity with the victims
A few minutes after the roof collapsed, the new president of Argentina, Javier Milei, issued a statement about what happened. In it, the new Argentine president "deeply regretted the casualties" and sent his " deepest condolences to the families and loved ones":
We are following, together with the National Cabinet, the storm in the Province of Buenos Aires. I deeply regret the casualties caused by the storm in Bahía Blanca and I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones. We will provide information as we have it. We ask all those who are in risk areas to stay in their homes.
Estamos siguiendo junto al Gabinete Nacional la tormenta en la Provincia de Buenos Aires.
Lamento profundamente las víctimas que la misma causó en Bahía Blanca y envío mi más sentido pésame a los familiares y seres queridos. Iremos dando información a medida que la vayamos… https://t.co/JRkaKkVl9p— Javier Milei (@JMilei) December 17, 2023
The governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Áxel Kicillof, emphasized the joint "efforts" that his team and the Bahía Blanca authorities were making "within the framework of the Emergency Committee." Furthermore, like other leaders, he also assured that he has made "resources available to repair the consequences of this tragedy":
All the ministers of the different areas of the government of the province of Buenos Aires are coordinating their efforts with the municipality of Bahía Blanca within the framework of the Emergency Committee. I am in communication with the mayor @fsusbielles and we have already made resources available to repair the consequences of this tragedy. Our heartfelt accompaniment to the families of the victims.
Todos los ministros de las áreas del gobierno de la provincia de Buenos Aires están coordinando esfuerzos con la municipalidad de Bahía Blanca en el marco del Comité de Emergencia. Estoy en comunicación con el intendente @fsusbielles y ya hemos puesto a disposición los recursos…
— Axel Kicillof (@Kicillofok) December 17, 2023
