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Deadly flash floods tear through Bolivia's Sucre city

A hailstorm turned the streets of Sucre into raging rivers

Flash floods have killed at least four people in the Bolivian city of Sucre, police say.

Following a heavy hailstorm which lasted about half an hour, some of the city's steep streets became fast-flowing rivers.

Water rushed down the streets dragging along cars, buses and market stalls.

The worst affected area was around the city's largest farmers market, where drains were blocked by rubbish, making the flooding worse.

Reuters A street flooded by heavy rains is seen in Sucre, Bolivia January 4, 2021.Reuters
Water rushed down the streets, catching many by surprise

Residents said city officials should have done more to maintain the city's storm drains during the rainy season.

Locals were caught by surprise by the hailstorm which hit the city at 18:45 local time (22:45GMT).

President Luis Arce gave his condolences to the relatives of those killed.

Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said three children and three adults were still missing and seven had been injured.

At least 10 vehicles were swept away in the flash floods. Many merchants lost all their goods and several were treated in hospital for hypothermia.

Reuters A woman clings to a lamp post during flooding caused by heavy rains in Sucre, Bolivia January 4, 2021Reuters
People caught in the flash floods grabbed hold of lampposts to avoid being swept away
Reuters People recover their belongings during flooding caused by heavy rains in Sucre, Bolivia January 4, 2021.Reuters
Stallholders saw their goods being swept away

Flash flooding and landslides are not unusual in Bolivia's rainy season, which runs from November to March.

In neighbouring Peru, a man was rescued just a few days ago from a car which had become submerged by flash flooding.

Flash floods caused extensive damage across the city of Arequipa.