Flash Flooding Sweeps Cars and Bus Through Santiago Streets

On Oct. 8, 2026, torrential rain flooded neighborhoods and hospitals in eastern Santiago as muddy water surged through Las Condes, sweeping cars down roads and forcing bus passengers onto the roof. Rescue workers pulled a man to safety; another waded through the floodwaters. President José Antonio Kast declared a state of emergency for Las Condes. Mayor Catalina San Martín said 14.4 centimeters of rain in recent days—about nine times average October rainfall—left the area “totally saturated.” The Mapocho River overflowed, prompting evacuation orders. Firefighters rescued or evacuated more than 1,000 people. Officials reported at least six injured, including a 1-year-old with broken bones, and no deaths Thursday. Ten other districts were put on high alert for landslides, schools were ordered closed Friday, and nearly 12,000 Santiago customers lost power. Earlier storms that week damaged a few dozen homes. Downpours were expected to ease Friday. Early wire reports cited no injuries as crews worked near San Carlos de Apoquindo and General Blanche; later official tallies put the injured at least at six.