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Texas Floods: Death Toll Surpasses 100 as Search and Rescue Efforts Enter Fifth Day
Search and rescue operations continue across flood-ravaged central Texas as the death toll from catastrophic flash floods has climbed to over 100, with officials warning the number is likely to rise in the coming days.
The flooding, triggered by a torrential downpour early Friday that caused the Guadalupe River to rise by eight metres in just 45 minutes, has devastated communities across the Texas Hill Country. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County, which reported the loss of 27 campers and counsellors. At least 10 children and one staff member remain unaccounted for.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp said in a statement posted on its website. “We are praying for them constantly.”
Emergency crews have recovered the bodies of 84 individuals in Kerr County alone, including 28 children. Nineteen additional deaths were reported in the surrounding counties of Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson. With heavy rain still in the forecast, authorities fear the toll will continue to rise.
The flash floods, among the most severe in the U.S. in recent decades, swept through cabins, tents, and homes in the early hours, catching many residents and campers in their sleep. Survivors have described harrowing scenes, with some clinging to trees or rooftops as the waters surged around them.
Officials have pledged a full investigation into the flood response, including whether camps received timely evacuation orders and if warning systems functioned properly. Poor cell reception in the region may have hindered the transmission of alerts, according to Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice.
“We definitely want to dive in and look at all those things,” said Rice. “But our focus right now is completing the search and rescue operations.”
The National Weather Service had issued flood advisories as early as Thursday, escalating to emergency alerts by Friday morning. However, some residents claim they received no warnings before the floodwaters struck.
Senator Ted Cruz pushed back against criticism that recent federal budget cuts may have hampered emergency communication. “This is not the time for political fights,” Cruz said. “We will learn lessons from this, but today is about helping survivors.”
President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and is expected to visit Texas on Friday to assess the damage and meet with local officials and affected families.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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