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الوسم: rescue

  • Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 2,200+; Survivors Struggle for Aid

    Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 2,200+; Survivors Struggle for Aid

    Afghan men walk across the wreckage of a damaged home following a devastating magnitude-6 earthquake that hit Afghanistan on Sunday, in Mazar Dara, Kunar Province, September 2, 2025. — Reuters

    The death toll from the strong earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan over the weekend has climbed sharply to more than 2,200, making it the deadliest quake in decades for the country. Most fatalities occurred in Kunar Province, where 2,205 people lost their lives, and 3,640 were injured, according to Taliban authorities. In neighboring Nangarhar and Laghman provinces, 12 more individuals were killed, with hundreds more injured. The total count is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the debris.

    “Hundreds of bodies have been pulled from collapsed houses during rescue operations,” stated Deputy Government Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that rescue operations are still underway. Difficult terrain and repeated aftershocks have caused landslides, blocking vital mountain roads and delaying relief efforts.

    Several countries have dispatched aid to the region. However, many villagers remain stranded outdoors in Nurgal district, huddled under tarps made from debris, uncertain about where their next meal will come from. Tensions flared over food supplies when some aid finally arrived at the camp in Mazar Dara, where hundreds of displaced residents are camped, with little assistance reaching them so far.

    “Yesterday, some brought food, but everyone rushed to it. People are hungry—many haven’t eaten in a long time,” said Zahir Khan Safi, 48.

    “Every hour counts,” warned WHO officials.

    The fragile infrastructure—damaged by decades of conflict—complicates emergency response efforts. The World Health Organization reports the country’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, facing shortages of trauma supplies, medications, and staff. They have appealed for $4 million to fund emergency medical interventions, mobile health units, and supply distribution.

    “The loss of U.S. aid since January has worsened the depletion of emergency stocks and logistics resources,” officials note. Humanitarian organizations and the UN stress that Afghanistan’s crisis is multi-layered, with ongoing economic hardship, drought, and an influx of refugees from Pakistan and Iran compounding the disaster.

    Filippo Grandi, head of the UN Refugee Agency, estimated that more than 500,000 people in eastern Afghanistan have been affected by the quake.

    The country continues to grapple with pervasive poverty, severe drought, and the challenges posed by returning refugees. Meanwhile, neighboring Pakistan has begun a renewed effort to expel Afghan nationals, with over 6,300 crossing the Torkham border into Nangarhar Province just yesterday.

  • Over 60 Dead as Over 100-Rev Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

    Over 60 Dead as Over 100-Rev Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

    A boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s Niger State, resulting in at least 60 fatalities and numerous rescues. Officials say dozens of people were saved, but the death toll continues to rise. The accident happened early Tuesday morning when the vessel set out from Tungan Sule in Malale district en route to Dugga for a condolence visit. Near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area, it struck a submerged tree stump, causing it to overturn.

    Borgu Local Government Chair Abdullahi Baba Ara reported an increasing death count, stating, “The number of fatalities has now reached 60. Ten individuals are in critical condition, and search efforts for others are ongoing.” The incident took place around 11 a.m. local time.

    Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district chief of Shagumi, shared he was on the scene shortly after the event. “I was there yesterday from noon until late afternoon. More than 100 people were on the boat,” Muhammad explained. “We recovered 31 bodies from the river, and the vessel itself was salvaged and removed.” He also noted that four victims were buried according to Islamic customs, with women and children comprising most of the deceased.

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported ongoing searches by rescue teams and local divers. So far, 29 deaths have been confirmed with 50 people rescued and two still unaccounted for. The agency indicated the boat was overloaded and collided with the tree stump, causing it to capsize.

    Frequent boat accidents in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, are often caused by insufficient safety enforcement, overcrowding, and poorly maintained vessels.

  • Villages Isolated Following Devastating Floods in India

    Villages Isolated Following Devastating Floods in India

    Floodwaters have submerged around 1,000 villages in Punjab, India, prompting many residents to seek refuge in relief camps. Officials report at least 29 deaths and over 250,000 affected individuals last month. The chief minister described the flooding as one of the worst in decades. Although Punjab is known as India’s granary, more than 940 square kilometers (360 square miles) of farmland are under water, causing severe crop damage. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the state’s chief minister of full federal support.

    Concerns are mounting over significant livestock losses, though the full impact will only be known once waters recede. The Indian military along with disaster response teams have launched extensive rescue efforts, deploying over 1,000 boats and 30 helicopters to aid stranded individuals and deliver supplies. The chief minister emphasized that saving lives—both human and animal—is the top priority.

    The floodwaters do not stop at the border; rivers in Punjab flow into Pakistan, where flooding has also damaged large areas of land. Flooding and landslides are typical during the monsoon season from June to September, but climate change and poorly planned development are making such extreme weather events more frequent and intense. Rainfall in northwest India has increased by more than 33% during this period, according to the national weather agency.

    In Delhi, persistent rains have swollen the Yamuna River, which crossed safety thresholds earlier this week, flooding neighborhoods and causing traffic chaos that lasts for hours. Last month, record-breaking rains also caused deadly floods in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region.

  • Afghan Rescuers Rush to Aid Isolated Mountain Villages After Quake

    Afghan Rescuers Rush to Aid Isolated Mountain Villages After Quake

    A severe magnitude-6 earthquake struck Afghanistan circa midnight, resulting in the death of over 800 individuals and injuring more than 2,800 across eastern provinces like Kunar and Nangarhar. Rescue teams, focusing initially on four villages in Kunar, are now extending their efforts to more isolated mountainous regions. The challenging terrain and worsening weather conditions have significantly impeded rescue operations, especially along the Pakistani border where mudbrick homes have been flattened.

    Urgent efforts are underway to access these remote areas, with machinery being deployed to clear blocked roads. As of Tuesday, ambulances and helicopters are actively transporting the injured to hospitals in Kabul and nearby Nangarhar. Taliban forces have been deployed to assist with aid distribution and security in the affected zones. The disaster has further strained Afghanistan’s already overwhelmed health system, which is struggling due to a decline in foreign aid and ongoing diplomatic issues.

    Relief agencies are working to quickly dispose of animal carcasses to prevent water contamination, though damaged roads, aftershocks, and the difficulty of reaching remote villages pose ongoing obstacles. The World Health Organization reports that over 12,000 people have been affected, and local health facilities are under intense strain. This region, part of the Hindu Kush mountain range, is highly susceptible to earthquakes, with seismic activity in 2022 causing around 1,000 fatalities in the same eastern territories.

  • UK commits £1m aid to help Afghanistan earthquake victims

    UK commits £1m aid to help Afghanistan earthquake victims

    A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving destruction and grief in its wake. Afghan volunteers alongside Taliban security forces rushed to assist injured individuals near a military helicopter in Mazar Dara village, Nurgal District, Kunar Province, on September 1, 2025. The quake is among the deadliest in Afghanistan’s recent history, claiming over 800 lives and injuring at least 2,800 as rescue efforts are still underway. The country’s disaster response has been limited by decreasing international aid, primarily due to US funding cuts.

    In response, the UK has pledged £1 million (~$1.35 million) in emergency aid. The funds will be channeled through global organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Red Cross (IFRC) to provide vital healthcare services and emergency supplies to the hardest-hit regions. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Afghan people, stating that this emergency support aims to help deliver critical aid to those most affected.

  • Over 40 Missing Following Sokoto State Boat Disaster in Nigeria

    Over 40 Missing Following Sokoto State Boat Disaster in Nigeria

    Rescue crews are searching for over 40 individuals following a boat crash in Nigeria’s northwest, Sokoto State, according to the country’s emergency services on Sunday.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the vessel, which was ferrying more than 50 people to a market, capsized early Sunday morning.

    “Approximately 10 people have been saved, but more than 40 remain unaccounted for,” NEMA stated.

    Such boat tragedies are frequent on Nigeria’s under-regulated waterways, often caused by overcrowding and inadequate vessel upkeep, especially during the rainy season when rivers and lakes tend to overflow.

    In a similar incident last August 2024, at least 16 farmers drowned when a wooden canoe overturning while transporting them across a river to their rice fields in Sokoto State.

    Previously, on July 29, six girls drowned when their boat, returning from farm work, capsized midstream in Jigawa State.

    Just two days earlier, a boat accident in Niger’s central region claimed at least 13 lives.

  • Over 20 Killed in Lampedusa Shipwreck Off Italy

    Over 20 Killed in Lampedusa Shipwreck Off Italy

    At least 20 migrants lost their lives after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, with many others still unaccounted for, according to the UNHCR.

    “Heartbreaking news from the latest shipwreck off Lampedusa, where UNHCR is now assisting the survivors. So far, authorities have recovered around 20 bodies, with a number still missing,” wrote UNHCR spokesperson Filippo Ungaro on social media.

    Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed the incident, stating that the shipwreck happened 14 nautical miles from Lampedusa. The vessel carried approximately 97 people when it overturned, reports Radio Radicale.

    Details are still limited, but Save the Children Italy has reported that a one-and-a-half-year-old girl appears to be among those lost in the wreck. Rai Radio 1 indicated that between 12 and 17 migrants are missing, and about 60 survivors have been rescued and brought to safety on the island. The boat, already overturned, was spotted from the air by an Italian financial police plane.

    Migrants attempting to reach Italy from North Africa frequently cross in overcrowded or poorly maintained boats through the central Mediterranean, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, arriving on Lampedusa.

    UNHCR data shows that there have been 675 migrant deaths on this route so far in 2023. As of Wednesday, Italy’s interior ministry reports that 38,263 migrants have reached its shores this year.

    Piantedosi emphasized on social media that this tragedy highlights the urgent need to prevent dangerous sea journeys before departure and to crack down on the ruthless traffickers fueling this crisis. The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has negotiated agreements with North African nations, providing funding and training to help curb departures and stem the flow of migrants attempting the perilous crossing.

  • Magnitude 6.1 Quake Hits Balikesir Near Istanbul, Turkey

    Magnitude 6.1 Quake Hits Balikesir Near Istanbul, Turkey

    A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The tremor was felt across multiple cities in the region, including Istanbul and the popular tourist destination of Izmir. No fatalities have been reported.

    Approximately ten buildings collapsed in Sindirgi, including a three-story structure in the town center, as announced by Mayor Serkan Sak on Turkish private channel NTV. “Six residents lived in that three-story building. Four were rescued from the debris,” he stated, adding that rescue efforts to locate the remaining two were ongoing. “Buildings and mosques were damaged, but fortunately, there have been no reports of loss of life,” he added.

    The earthquake occurred at 7:53 p.m. local time (1653 GMT), with aftershocks measuring between 3.5 and 4.6 in magnitude, AFAD reported. Turkey is traversed by several fault lines, which have historically caused severe earthquakes in the country.

    In February 2023, a quake in the southwestern region resulted in at least 53,000 deaths and severely damaged Antakya, near the ancient site of Antioch. More recently, in early July, a 5.8 magnitude tremor in the same area caused one death and injured 69 people.

  • 18 Migrants Die in Libya Shipwreck, 50 Reported Missing

    18 Migrants Die in Libya Shipwreck, 50 Reported Missing

    Over the weekend, at least 18 migrants lost their lives in a shipwreck near Tobruk, an eastern Libyan port city, with 50 others still unaccounted for, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday. Only 10 survivors have been identified and rescued so far, the organization added. Tobruk lies along the coast close to Egypt’s border.

    A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi informed Reuters that the migrants were Egyptian nationals. The diplomat confirmed that 10 bodies have been recovered and returned to Egypt, while the surviving individuals are currently being held in a government facility meant to combat illegal migration.

    Libyan authorities reported that the bodies of some migrants washed ashore at Alaghila Beach, approximately 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. Since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-supported uprising, Libya has increasingly become a transit hub for migrants fleeing ongoing conflicts, poverty, and dangerous journeys across the Sahara and the Mediterranean toward Europe.

    The IOM described the incident as a grim reminder of the perilous risks migrants face in pursuit of safety and better opportunities. The organization emphasized that Libya continues to serve as a major crossing point where many migrants are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and deadly voyages.

  • China Floods Kill 30, Displace Thousands

    China Floods Kill 30, Displace Thousands

    Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Beijing, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people and displacing over 80,000 residents. Floodwaters have inundated roads, villages, and suburban areas, with emergency teams tirelessly working to rescue those trapped by waist-deep waters. The hardest-hit neighborhoods include Miyun and Fangshan, where many families have lost everything within hours.

    This week, intense storms have impacted northern China, including Beijing and the neighboring provinces of Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong. According to authorities, as of late Monday, the latest heavy rain events have caused significant destruction in Beijing, with authorities reporting the fatalities and mass evacuations via social media. Over 80,000 residents have been relocated within the capital city, and widespread disruptions such as road closures and power outages have affected more than 130 villages.

    In Miyun, a suburb northeast of the city center, residents witnessed floodwaters sweeping away vehicles early Monday. Rescuers used a crawler to save people and even a dog from the rising waters. Nearby in Mujiayu, footage showed a reservoir releasing a torrent of water, washing away power lines and flooding streets where military vehicles and ambulances navigated the chaos. First responders also rescued 48 people from an senior care facility.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on authorities to prepare for the worst and expedite the evacuation of residents in flood-prone zones. In Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, a landslide near Chengde claimed four lives, with eight people still missing. Natural disasters are common during China’s summer months, driven by varying regional weather patterns, from heavy rains to extreme heat.

    Despite being the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases—contributing to climate change and intensifying such weather events—China is also investing heavily in renewable energy initiatives, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. Recent months have seen flash floods in Shandong kill two and cause ten to go missing, while a landslide in Sichuan resulted in five fatalities after several cars were swept off a highway.

  • Six Dead in Haridwar Temple Stampede

    Six Dead in Haridwar Temple Stampede

    A large crowd assembled at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least six individuals due to a stampede, according to ANI, citing Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey. The state’s chief minister announced on X that local police and rescue teams have promptly reached the scene to carry out relief operations.

    CM Dhami expressed his concern, stating, “The situation at Mansa Devi Temple is extremely distressing. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (UKSDRF), local police, and rescue teams are actively working to assist those affected. I am in continuous contact with the local administration and closely monitoring the developments. My thoughts are with all the devotees—hoping for their safety and well-being.” The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals.

    Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal told local media that authorities responded swiftly, initiating rescue efforts immediately. Initial findings suggest the chaos was incited by rumors of an electric current, which led to the panic among the crowd.

    India has experienced several crowd-related tragedies in the past. In January, at the Maha Kumbh festival, over 30 people lost their lives as millions gathered to bathe in the holy waters. Similarly, in June, eleven individuals died amid crowd chaos outside an Indian cricket stadium.

  • Ha Long Bay Tragedy: 28 Confirmed Dead in Boat Capsizing

    Ha Long Bay Tragedy: 28 Confirmed Dead in Boat Capsizing

    Tourist boats navigating in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

    Tragedy struck on Saturday when a tourist boat carrying families capsized in Vietnam’s renowned Ha Long Bay, claiming the lives of at least 28 individuals, with several others still unaccounted for, according to reports from state media.

    At the time of the incident, the vessel was transporting 48 passengers and five crew members when it overturned in the UNESCO World Heritage site due to sudden, severe rainfall, as reported by the Dan Tri news outlet.

    The majority of those aboard were families visiting from Hanoi, the capital, including over 20 children among the passengers, as per a news report from VNExpress.

    “Border guards managed to rescue 12 individuals and have located 18 bodies,” the report stated.

    Rescue operations are expected to continue into the night to locate those still missing.

    Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and urged the ministries of defense and public security to initiate an immediate search and rescue operation.

    Authorities committed to “investigate and ascertain the cause of the incident and take strict action against any violations,” as mentioned in a government statement.

    Tran Trong Hung, a local resident in the Ha Long Bay area, recounted to AFP, “The sky turned dark around 2 PM.” He explained that there were “hailstones the size of grapes accompanied by heavy rain, storms, and lightning.”

    Torrential rain also affected northern regions such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh provinces on the same day.

    In Hanoi, strong winds toppled several trees.

    This storm followed three days of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit in certain areas.

    Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, mentioned in VNExpress that the thunderstorms in northern Vietnam were not influenced by Tropical Storm Wipha in the South China Sea.

    Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most sought-after tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors annually to its stunning blue-green waters and limestone islands crowned with rainforests.

    Last year, 30 boats sank in coastal Quang Ninh province, specifically in boat lock areas along Ha Long Bay, after Typhoon Yagi produced intense winds and waves.

    Earlier this month, a ferry sank near Bali, a popular Indonesian tourist spot, resulting in at least 18 fatalities.

  • Boat Capsizes in Indonesia: 8 Rescued, 11 Remain Missing

    Boat Capsizes in Indonesia: 8 Rescued, 11 Remain Missing

    Rescue Efforts Underway After Boat Capsizes in Indonesia

    In Jakarta, rescue teams are diligently searching for 11 individuals who are still unaccounted for following an accident involving a boat that capsized amid rough seas near the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province. This incident, which took place on Monday morning, has so far seen the successful rescue of eight passengers.

    The boat was carrying 18 people, including ten local government employees, when it departed from Sikakap heading to a nearby town in the Mentawai Islands, as reported by local authorities.

    On Tuesday, responders mobilized two boats and numerous rescuers in their quest to locate the missing individuals.

    In Indonesia, where over 17,000 islands form an extensive archipelago, ferries and boats are frequently used for transportation. However, accidents are not uncommon due to adverse weather conditions and inadequate safety regulations, which often result in overcrowded vessels.

    Earlier this month, a ferry tragedy occurred near Bali, claiming the lives of 18 of the 65 passengers onboard, while 30 survived, and 17 remain missing.

  • Concerns Rise as Texas Flood Death Toll Soars; 160+ Missing

    Aerial view of houses and cars partially submerged in floodwaters near Kerrville, Texas, on July 4. — Reuters
    Aerial view of houses and cars partially submerged in floodwaters near Kerrville, Texas, on July 4. — Reuters

    • Rescue workers in central Texas are sifting through heaps of muddy debris.
    • The death toll has risen to 119, with over 160 individuals still unaccounted for.
    • An official remarked that, “as tragic as it is, the situation could have been much worse.”

    HUNT: On Wednesday, the casualty count from the Texas flash floods reached 119, with concerns that this number could more than double as over 160 people remain missing.

    Search efforts in central Texas were ongoing as workers navigated through muddy debris left by the floods on July 4. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of the victims.

    Kerr County, which was the hardest hit by the flooding, reported that 161 individuals are currently missing.

    Located in a region of Texas known as “Flash Flood Alley,” Kerr County has experienced severe damage, with at least 95 fatalities, including 36 children, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha’s statements to the press.

    This tragic list includes 27 girls and counselors from a summer camp who went missing early on Friday when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks.

    As of Wednesday, five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic were still unaccounted for, along with another child not associated with the camp, Leitha confirmed.

    Additionally, at least two dozen other fatalities were confirmed across the state, based on reports compiled by the AFP.

    Over 2,000 rescue personnel, police, and specialists have mobilized to the affected areas, described by Leitha as an “all hands on deck” operation.

    Ben Baker from the Texas Game Wardens indicated that search and rescue operations using helicopters, drones, and dogs faced significant challenges due to the flooding, mud, and debris.

    “Large debris piles can obstruct recovery efforts, and navigating these areas is very risky,” Baker stated.

    Meanwhile, scrutiny has increased regarding whether funding cuts under the Trump administration compromised warning systems and the overall handling of rescue efforts.

    During several tense press conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday, officials dodged inquiries about the emergency response’s timeliness.

    “There will be a thorough review of what took place,” Sheriff Leitha noted, adding, “these issues need to be addressed.”

    However, officials emphasized that the priority remains to find the missing individuals and reunite them with their families.

    ‘Door to door’

    Kerrville police officer Jonathan Lamb recounted the courageous efforts of both authorities and volunteers who rescued hundreds from their homes or vehicles.

    Officers went “door to door, waking people up” in Kerr County during the early hours of Friday, sometimes even “pulling them out of windows” from homes and trailers swamped by flooding, Lamb informed reporters.

    He added, “As tragic as this disaster is, it could have been so much worse.”

    The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued forecasts for scattered storms in the Hill Country, warning of isolated heavy rainfall.

    In neighboring New Mexico, flash floods claimed three lives in Ruidoso, as reported on the village’s website, which noted that the Ruidoso River had surged to a historic 20 feet (six meters).

    Bodies in the mud

    In Hunt, Texas, an AFP team observed recovery workers diligently sifting through debris with helicopters hovering above.

    Javier Torres, 24, was digging through mud in search of his grandmother after having located his grandfather’s body.

    During his search, he also discovered the bodies of two children, apparently swept away by the river.

    Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Friday alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

    “We deployed many helicopters from across the region… Their professionalism was key in rescuing many individuals,” Trump remarked about the response efforts.

    Shel Winkley, a weather specialist at Climate Central, attributed the severity of the disaster to geographical factors and the ongoing extreme drought, which causes dry soil to absorb less rain.

    This part of Texas, particularly Kerr County, was experiencing a severe drought, with temperatures above average since May, Winkley explained to reporters.

  • Texas Flood Deaths Exceed 100 as Recovery Efforts Continue

    Texas Flood Deaths Exceed 100 as Recovery Efforts Continue

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    First Responders on Site After Texas Floods

    First responders work to extract a vehicle from the water as they navigate the aftermath of devastating flooding in Kerrville, Texas, on July 6, 2025. — Reuters

    • Ten campers and one counselor still unaccounted for from an all-girls summer camp
    • Disaster has been declared, unlocking new federal funding and other resources
    • President Trump refutes claims that workforce reductions contributed to the situation.

    The tragic death toll from the catastrophic flooding in Texas increased to over 100 on Monday, as rescue teams continued their harrowing efforts to find those swept away by the raging waters.

    Among the deceased are at least 27 young girls and staff from a summer camp along a river that was struck by disaster during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

    Meteorologists have issued warnings of additional flooding due to ongoing rain falling on already saturated ground, complicating rescue operations that involve helicopters, boats, and search dogs. The number of victims is anticipated to grow further.

    President Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Friday, as the White House pushes back against accusations that his budget cuts to weather agencies weakened critical warning systems.

    “Attributing the floods to President Trump is a baseless and disgraceful claim that serves no purpose during this time of national grief,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated at a press briefing on Monday. “The National Weather Service provided timely and accurate forecasts, despite some staffing gaps,” she added, referencing a report by The New York Times.

    Trump described the floods that hit in the early hours of Friday as a “once-in-a-century disaster” that caught everyone off guard.

    The president, who has previously indicated that disaster response should largely be a state responsibility, has signed a major disaster declaration, unlocking new federal funds and resources.

    Heartbreaking Consequences

    Kerr County, located in central Texas, has been the hardest hit, reporting a toll of 56 adults and 28 children. This includes the 27 campers who were at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp that housed around 750 individuals when the floodwaters surged.

    Summer camps are a cherished tradition during the lengthy U.S. summer break, allowing children to build lifelong friendships. Texas Senator Ted Cruz remarked on the tragedy, noting how quickly joyful experiences can turn into heartbreak.

    In a frightening display of nature’s might, the overflowing waters of the Guadalupe River reached the tops of trees and even the roofs of cabins while the girls at the camp slept.

    Belongings such as blankets and stuffed animals were found caked in mud, and several cabin windows were shattered, likely by the force of the torrents.

    Local volunteers are scouring the debris along the river, some driven by personal connections to the victims. “We’re assisting the parents of two missing children,” Louis Deppe, 62, shared with the press. “The last message they received was ‘We’re being swept away,’ and then the call dropped.”

    A deluge equivalent to months of rainfall fell within just a few hours from Thursday night into Friday, and intermittent rain has persisted since then. The Guadalupe River surged approximately 26 feet—more than the height of a two-story building—in a mere 45 minutes.

    Flash floods, which occur when the ground cannot absorb sudden heavy rainfall, are common in this area of Texas, often referred to as “Flash Flood Alley.” Increased occurrences and severity of extreme weather events like floods have been linked to human-induced climate change in recent years.

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  • Ferry Tragedy Near Bali: Four Confirmed Dead, Many Missing

    Ferry Tragedy Near Bali: Four Confirmed Dead, Many Missing

    Search and rescue boats looking for survivors of the Rafelia II ferry that sank in the Bali Strait, close to Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, on March 4, 2016. — Reuters

    JAKARTA: Four individuals have lost their lives, 38 are unaccounted for, and 23 have been rescued after a ferry with 65 people on board sank near Bali, Indonesia, as reported by the country’s Search and Rescue agency on Thursday.

    The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya went down approximately 30 minutes after departing from Banyuwangi port in East Java, heading toward Bali late Wednesday evening, according to the agency.

    The vessel was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, along with 22 vehicles.

    The search for those missing is currently in progress, but strong currents and winds are complicating the efforts, the agency noted.

    Ferries are a widely used mode of transportation in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands. Unfortunately, accidents are not uncommon due to insufficient safety regulations that often lead to overloaded boats lacking proper life-saving equipment.

    Earlier this year, a small ferry capsized near Sulawesi Island, resulting in at least 15 fatalities.

  • YouTuber and Fox Rescuer Mikayla Raines, 31, Dies by Suicide

    YouTuber and Fox Rescuer Mikayla Raines, 31, Dies by Suicide

    Tragic Loss of Mikayla Raines: Influencer and Animal Advocate Passes Away at 31

    Mikayla Raines, widely known as the founder of the ‘Save a Fox’ rescue and a popular YouTuber, has sadly passed away at the age of 31. Her husband, Ethan, shared that she had been a target of online harassment, including bullying from individuals she considered friends.

    Ethan disclosed that Mikayla faced significant mental health struggles, including depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. He expressed, "As many know, she was on the autism spectrum. While this presented challenges, it also allowed her to focus intensely on her passion—caring for animals."

    Mikayla Raines: A Voice for Wildlife, Gone Too Soon

    In a heartfelt video on the official Instagram account of ‘Save a Fox,’ Ethan broke the devastating news to her followers. He wrote in the video’s caption, "We have experienced a loss that feels unimaginable. Mikayla was one of the most extraordinary and inspiring individuals I’ve ever known. Her absence leaves a void that feels insurmountable. While I am heartbroken, I commit to honoring her dreams, and I ask for your support as we carry on her legacy."

    Ethan vowed to continue Mikayla’s mission of compassion and kindness toward animals.

    The news has prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with many users highlighting the impact of online bullying and extending their condolences to Ethan. One Instagram user encapsulated the sentiment by writing, "Our rescue community has lost such a unique and dedicated spirit. Ethan, sharing this yourself was incredibly brave—our hearts and prayers are with you, Freya, and everyone at SAF."

    Another commenter noted, "I am in shock and deeply saddened. This is a tremendous loss for the world. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends. For anyone who has spoken ill of this remarkable woman, understand that your words have consequences. Be kind, as you never know what battles an individual may be facing."

    Mikayla’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of kindness and support, especially in the face of mental health challenges.