Hurricane Eta death toll hits 50 in Guatemala

Hurricane Eta in Guatemala has so far claimed the lives of as many as 50 people while hundreds have been affected. The region will continue to witness heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours.

Mexico City:The number of people killed by the hurricane Eta in Guatemala has reached 50, with the authorities evacuating residents from the disaster-hit areas, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said.

"Unfortunately, today in the morning four people have died, the number of victims has thus reached 50," Giammattei said at a press briefing on late Thursday.

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The President stressed that more than 1,500 people were awaiting an immediate evacuation from the disaster-hit areas, which is complicated by the overflow of rivers.

According to weather forecasts, Guatemala will continue to face heavy rainfall within the next 48 hours. Nine departments of the country have already introduced a state of emergency.

Eta, which has been downgraded to a tropical depression, is currently over Honduras and moving toward the Caribbean Sea.

ANI