Chilean Mining Accident Update: Survivor of 2010 Ordeal Loses Home in Flash Flood
Victor Zamora, a Chilean miner who was trapped underground for 69 days in 2010 and later rescued, lost his home due to the recent flash floods in northern Chile.
As reported by BBC, Zamora said he had lost everything.
"It's a tragedy," said Zamora.
The storms began on Tuesday evening and resulted in floods that have devastated the region leading to the deaths of 10 people.
Nineteen people are now considered missing, and hundreds of people have lost their homes.
The Atacama desert region is considered one of the driest regions on earth.
Speaking about the flood related tragedies, the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has called the situation bleak. Bachelet has stressed that many villages as of now remain isolated and are in urgent need of help. According to the president, it is likely that the number of the dead will increase as many people are still unaccounted for.
Rescue efforts have been hampered as the storms have cut off roads and caused power cuts as well as problems with communication.
Zamora explained that the floods came when everyone was asleep, and that he had only managed to grab a few things from his home.
"Me and my neighbours are trying to help each other," said Zamora.
The danger and damage were unexpected as the flash floods in the Atacama region affected riverbeds that had been dry for years.
The floods actually occurred at a time when southern Chile has been struggling with huge wildfires made worse by what had been a severe drought.
As the waters rose, Chileans got onto the roofs of their homes or fled to find high ground in order to escape the flood waters.
The affected area is a major spot of copper production. Many mines have for the time being suspended their production.
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