Chile: the Atacama region hit by severe flooding

"We lost everything, everything. There is nothing to recover."

In Chile, heavy rains fell on the Atacama region causing major flooding. In the city of Chañaral, destructions are considerable. The streets are littered with debris and mud. Many homes are under water. '' We lost everything, everything. There is nothing to recover. It remains for us to wait until the mud withdraws and see what is left of the house, '' says the inhabitant of Chañaral.

In Copiapo, the regional capital, streets turned into rivers, while in other cities such as Antofagasta, the inhabitants had to take refuge on rooftops or trees to avoid being washed away. Surreal scenes in this northern region of Chile yet accustomed to drought.

The provisional toll of these exceptional weather is seven dead and two dozen missing. Hundreds of people had to be relocated to emergency shelters, including schools. But the total number of victims could be much more.