Venezuela: At least seven dead in religious gathering due to flooding due to heavy rains

The life of at least seven people was claimed by the flood caused by heavy rains in Venezuela and more specifically in the Andes sector.

“A large amount of water fell on the highest part of the mountain, causing a flood that swept away a group of people,” the governor of Tatsira state (west), Freddy Bernal, explained on social media on Saturday.

“So far seven bodies have been recovered, four of which have not been identified, and we are looking for three more” missing people, he added, speaking of a “tragedy”.

Thirty-six members of the Methodist church, a Protestant religious community, had gathered in this tourist area for the “meeting”. Some were bathing in a river when the flood hit, sweeping many of them away.

The search, made difficult by the geographical features of this mountainous region and the prevailing low temperatures, continued late Saturday night into Sunday.

According to the authorities, Venezuela is recording in 2022 more rain than average, which has caused damage in several areas.

A government representative attributed this event to the La Niña meteorological phenomenon.