44 killed in Mexico floods, landslides after heavy rains

At least 44 people have been killed and 27 others remain missing in floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains and two tropical storms, Priscilla and Raymond, across Mexico. Officials warned the death toll could rise further.

The country’s National Civil Protection Agency said in a statement on Sunday, October 12, that the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro and others were the hardest hit.

According to the statement, Veracruz recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 18 bodies recovered, followed by 16 in Hidalgo, nine in Puebla, and one in Querétaro.

The twin storms Priscilla and Raymond brought intense rainfall between October 6 and October 9. Meteorologists reported that Veracruz alone saw over 540 millimetres (21 inches) of rain within three days.

Although the storms weakened after October 9, rescue teams from the civil defence agency and the army launched operations across the affected areas. The agency said heavy rainfall caused multiple landslides, uprooted trees and electricity poles, and damaged houses, which could further increase casualties.

Between October 6 and October 9, about 16,000 houses were destroyed in 55 towns, leaving over 320,000 people without electricity.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on social media platform X that rescue and relief operations had begun nationwide through coordination between state and federal governments.
“No one will be left behind. All affected families will receive support,” she said.