The number of people killed by the strong flood that affected the La Gasca sector, north of Quito, rises to eleven

The rains recorded on Monday caused a strong alluvium that descended from the La Comuna sector, in the north of Quito, along the slope of La Gasca Avenue.

Around 19:44, the Comprehensive Security Service ECU911 reported three deaths because of this event. Over the hours the number of dead increased. At 9:41 p.m., the National Risk Management Secretariat updated that the number of fatalities rose to eleven and 15 people were injured, according to preliminary reports.

Residents and bystanders of the place were astonished to see that a strong current of water full of mud and debris was flowing down La Gasca Avenue and the surrounding streets.

Videos circulated on social networks in which it can be seen that trees, motorcycles, garbage collectors and even vehicles were dragged for the flow.

Units from the Fire Department, the National Police, the Red Cross and officials from the Municipal Security Secretariat moved to the site. And the arrival of Mayor Santiago Guarderas was announced.

In addition, the National Secretariat for Risk Management reported that 60 members of the Armed Forces will be added.

Firefighters set up a point of service in a supermarket of the sector, while the command post was located in the cable car parking lot, in La Comuna.

Residents of La Gasca reported that the situation started around 18:00 and it got worse in no time. Until 8:00 p.m., residents of Enrique Ritter Street, which crosses the main avenue, said that the help of the rescuers did not arrive.

“I saw how the current took a man and a child. It was horrible,” said Belén Bermeo, who lives in the area.

Several people were swept away by the water. There was damage to infrastructure.

In the face of the emergency, the Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) closed Mariscal Sucre avenue, at the height of the av. Mariana de Jesús, from north to south; av. was also closed north-south. America, in the part of av. Colon.

Several sectors were left without electricity. Empresa Eléctrica Quito (EEQ) confirmed that the rainfall caused the disconnection of the Miraflores substation, affecting sectors of the historic center and the north of the city such as La Basílica, Mejía school, av. America, San Juan, Miraflores. Residents of La Gasca also reported being without service.

From the Municipality it was reported that the Emergency Operations Committee will meet (COE) metropolitan, to analyze the situation. Furthermore, it was explained that the alluvium originated in the El Tejado creek sector, “due to an event of extreme precipitation”.

“Please, the residents of this sector are requested to stay on the upper floors of their houses until the respective evaluation and rescue is carried out, ”the council communicated.

Around 8:30 p.m., the President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso, spoke via Twitter and indicated that the Risk Secretariat, as well as the Ministry of Health and other institutions are in the affected neighborhood, helping the victims.

“Likewise, coordination with local authorities is maintained. We will constantly monitor to attend to the emergency,” the president published. (I)

(News in development)