Thirteen dead, seven missing in Chile following heavy rains, flooding, authorities say

The downpours have caused sustained power outages affecting 87,000 people and displaced thousands of others as the Chilean government works to impose sanctions on electricity distributors.

A drone view shows flooded houses after heavy rainfall from a weather front caused flooding and led the Chilean authorities to declare a state of emergency, in La Serena, Chile, July 20, 2026.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Jorge Vega/File Photo//File Photo)

ByREUTERS

JULY 22, 2026 09:01

Updated: JULY 22, 2026 09:02

Thirteen people are dead and seven missing after heavy rains hit much of Chile, authorities said on Tuesday, while the government said it would seek sanctions on electricity distributors for sustained power outages.

Storms have struck from the country's central region down to the south, causing widespread flooding, road closures, and damage to homes.

“Waterways, streams, and riverbanks have been weakened by the rainfall over the past few days; there is still a risk of rising water levels in some of them," said Alicia Cebrian, head of Chile's Senapred emergency office.

Cebrian added that, in addition to the casualties, 2,281 people have been displaced, 81 homes have been destroyed, and 2,761 have sustained major damage, while 87,000 people remain without electricity.

The minister of the interior, Claudio Alvarado, said the government plans to initiate disciplinary proceedings against electricity distribution companies for delays in restoring service.

Rainfall disrupts schools, mining companies in Chile

Lessons were suspended in schools across several municipalities in four regions.

Although most of the major copper and lithium mining companies are located in the northernmost part of the country, which has not been affected by the bad weather, some operations in the region have had to temporarily scale back their activities due to the conditions.