Flash flood in Mexico leaves at least 8 dead

Mexico's Army soldiers and workers await the opening of the road leading to El Jalocote community following heavy rains and floods in Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco state, Mexico, on September 25, 2023. Photo by AFP

The bodies of some victims were reported to have been found several miles downstream from where they disappeared near Autlan in the western state of Jalisco.

"Eight people are reported dead so far and search efforts continue to locate two more people," the Jalisco civil protection service said in a statement Monday evening.

Juan Ignacio Arroyo Verastegui, a local civil protection official, told AFP that deforestation and a fire earlier this year caused significant damage to the wooded area and could have contributed to the flash flooding.

Dozens of rescue workers were deployed in the area to search for the missing, authorities said.

Mexico is regularly hit by flooding and tropical storms.

Scientists say that climate change is increasing the risk of heavy rain because warmer air holds more moisture.