The death toll from last week’s torrential rains and landslides in Mexico has climbed to 64, with at least 65 people still unaccounted for, according to the country’s Civil Defense authorities.
Heavy rainfall across central and southeastern Mexico triggered river overflows, flash floods, and massive landslides that cut off access to dozens of communities. Civil Defense Coordinator Laura Velázquez Alzúa confirmed the updated figures during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s daily press briefing on Monday.
President Sheinbaum assured citizens that government support would not be limited during the crisis.
“There are sufficient resources; this won’t be skimped on … because we’re still in the emergency period,” she said.
Thousands of soldiers and emergency personnel have been deployed to support rescue efforts and distribute relief items. However, access remains a major challenge. In northern Veracruz, around 80 communities are still unreachable by road due to landslides and damaged infrastructure.
Sheinbaum noted that air support is being used to reach some areas.
“A lot of flights are required to take sufficient food and water,” she added.
Early assessments show that over 100,000 homes have been affected. In some riverbank communities, houses were completely washed away.
The destruction spans at least five states, with the following casualties reported so far:
- Veracruz – 29 deaths
- Hidalgo – 21 deaths
- Puebla – 13 deaths
- Querétaro – 1 death (a child killed in a landslide)
Authorities say many areas are only now being reached, and the numbers could change as searches progress.
President Sheinbaum visited affected communities in Puebla and Veracruz over the weekend and has promised an expanded government response as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
