Chile storm death toll rises to at least 13, officials say

Heavy rains in Chile have killed at least 13 people and left more than 60,000 others cut off after roads were washed out, government officials said in a Tuesday report. Officials said the recovery effort was focused on restoring basic services.

The storm began on July 15 in southern Chile and struck the usually dry regions of Coquimbo and Atacama, where such heavy rainfall is unusual.

Alicia Cebrian, director of Chile's SENAPRED national emergency service, said there were 13 deaths and seven people missing. The government said about 2,800 homes had been destroyed. It also said swollen rivers and roads blocked by water and mud had left several towns cut off.

Patricia Albornoz, a community leader in Coquimbo, told AFP by phone that she had not seen an emergency like it in her 57 years and described rivers and ravines overflowing.

Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said the rain was expected to ease, but warned that risks remained because of swollen riverbeds and ravines. President Jose Antonio Kast declared a state of emergency in the affected areas on Monday.