Mass evacuations, cars washed away in Chilean flooding disaster

Key points

• Flash flooding has swept cars away and caused major damage in Las Condes, a wealthy suburb on the western edge of Santiago, Chile. The government declared a zone of catastrophe after floodwater and mud struck on Thursday, local time.
• Authorities issued a red alert for at least 10 regional areas, and at least six people were reported injured. Aged care residents, university health clinic staff and clients, and 60 children sheltering at a technical college were evacuated.
• The Chilean Army deployed vehicles, soldiers and response teams to help with clean-up and rescue efforts.