At Least 13 Dead, Hundreds Of Thousands Without Electricity In Huge Argentina Storm

( OANN )

At least 13 people have died in a big thunderstorm that left the whole city of Bahia Blanca, Argentina, without electricity and hundreds evacuated. 

On Saturday, a huge thunderstorm hit the port city, causing the roof of a sports club to collapse, killing at least 13 people who were sheltering from the storm inside. 

🚨🇦🇷 BREAKING: 13 DEAD IN ARGENTINA | Roof Collapse at Sports CenterDuring a violent 95mph storm in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, a sports center roof collapsed at a roller-skating exhibition, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and multiple serious injuries.Source: Daily News pic.twitter.com/pkcSDa0c0E— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 17, 2023

The mayor of Bahia Blanca, Federico Susbielles, also confirmed the death toll in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Unfortunately, the emergency service confirms the death of 13 people in the Bahiense del Norte club,” Susbielles said.

He continued, stating that in the course of the emergency they received “430 serious calls, 132 reported cases of hypothermia, over 100 roofs flying away, over 1000 downed trees, and a peak of 350 evacuated people housed in five evacuation centers.”

Susbielles said that over 250 public service responders had been attending to the incident. 

Durante la noche más de 250 servidores públicos estuvieron dando respuesta a nuestra comunidad.Quiero destacar la tarea de Defensa Civil, Agentes Tránsito, trabajadores municipales, Cooperativas y a la Policía Bonaerense.— Federico Susbielles (@fsusbielles) December 17, 2023

Winds exceeding 87 mph were recorded in the city, resulting in power outages throughout the area. 

Images and videos captured the intense storm that hit Bahia Blanca, with thick wind gusts smashing into high-rise buildings, distant lightning strikes, and haze enveloping the city.

Nunca se vivió algo así en Bahía Blanca pic.twitter.com/5syXfYZ3Zu— B4dInfluence (@B4dInfluence1) December 16, 2023

🚨| El Tornado en Bahía Blanca que ha afectado a la gran Buenos Aires, con vientos de 150 km/h y hasta más, ha dejado la cifra de 14 personas fallecidas y 500.000 sin electricidad, además de más de 300 árboles caídos. El Presidente Milei y Patricia Bullrich se dirigen al lugar.🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/dYWXEymRpt— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) December 17, 2023

Argentina’s newly elected president, Javier Milei, released a statement on X sharing his condolences with the residents and loved ones of the victims.

 “The president of the nation expresses his deepest condolences to family and friends of those who died due to the storm,” his office said in the statement. “The wind gusts exceeded 150 km/h in Bahía Blanca and an orange alert is in effect in different areas of the Province of Buenos Aires. At this moment, the National Cabinet is working together with the provincial and municipal authorities to assist the victims and control the damage.”

Desde la Oficina del Presidente de la República Argentina comunicamos que el Gobierno Nacional se encuentra monitoreando la delicada situación generada por la tormenta eléctrica en la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Recomendamos a la población revisar el servicio meteorológico y, de…— Oficina del Presidente Javier Milei (@OPEArg) December 17, 2023

NBA player Manu Ginobili, who was born and started off playing in Bahia Blanca, also shared a heartfelt message on X, sharing his condolences for his city.

 “Very sad about what my club and my city and the region are going through. A big hug to everyone and my condolences to the families of the victims. Bahia Strong!!”

Muy triste por lo que está atravesando mi club, mi ciudad y la región. Un fuerte abrazo para todos y mis condolencias para los familiares de las víctimas. Fuerza Bahía!! 🫶— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) December 17, 2023