A woman waits for the bus near a damaged tree, after a severe storm, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 17, 2023.  REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Argentina

Electrical storm devastates Argentina and Uruguay, claims 16 lives

The death toll from a severe electrical storm that struck Argentina over the weekend has risen to 16 people in Argentina and the neighboring country of Uruguay.

(Reuters) - The death toll from a severe electrical storm that struck Argentina over the weekend has risen to 16 people in Argentina and the neighboring country of Uruguay.

Uruguay's meteorological agency said two people were killed as strong wind gusts swept in from the southeast early Sunday morning, according to a statement posted on the agency's website.

In Argentina, a woman died early Sunday after being struck by a falling tree branch in the town of Moreno, according to local media.

Thirteen others died on Saturday in the town of Bahia Blanca after a wall collapsed during the storm.

Argentine President Javier Milei visited the accident site on Sunday.

The storm's powerful winds also downed trees and lamp posts across the capital, Buenos Aires.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

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