Flash flood leaves 31 dead in Mexican city

A flash flood swept through the northern Mexican city of Piedras Negras, killing at least 31 people.

A flash flood swept through the northern Mexican city of Piedras Negras, killing at least 31 people.

Emergency crews had recovered 31 bodies in the city by early today. Two of those killed were children, and more than half were elderly, according to the Red Cross.

Throughout the day, authorities said as many as 75 people had yet to be accounted for, but the governor said many of those originally reported missing had been located.

Floodwaters had receded and rain eventually stopped, allowing President Vicente Fox to visit this border city of 200,000 150 miles south west of San Antonio, Texas.

READ MORE

Struggling to be heard over cheers, the president addressed several hundred people at the municipal gym, which authorities had turned into a makeshift shelter.

"We will help each and every one of you recover your homes, furniture, belongings, and everything else you've lost," Mr Fox said.