21 killed after flash flood sweeps away students, teachers near Dead Sea

A group of middle school students and teachers were visiting hot springs near the Dead Sea when flash flooding swept through the region on Thursday afternoon, local time.

Thirty-seven middle school students, seven teachers and several others were visiting the area when the torrent of water, triggered by heavy rain, took them by surprise, according to The Associated Press (AP).

At least 21 people have died and at least 35 others injured. An unknown amount of people are missing.

“[The floodwaters] swept away the students for 4 to 5 kilometers [2-3 miles],” Brig. Gen. Farid al-Sharaa said via AP.

Thirteen people escaped the flooding without injuries, with some holding on to rocks to survive.

An Israeli military search and rescue team was dispatched to the scene to help with recovery efforts, the AP reported.

Helicopters and divers were used during the initial rescue operation, which lasted into Thursday night.

“This is a major rescue operation entailing scores of people from different state agencies as well as several rescue helicopters and boats, marine divers and swimmers are at the site now to rescue trapped people and search for missing ones,” an officer at the Civil Defence Department (CDD)’s press department told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The heavy rain also caused a bridge collapse near the area on Friday morning, according to Reuters.

The storm system that triggered the heavy rainfall and flooding has exited the region, with dry weather in store for continued cleanup and rescue operations this weekend.

The region is accustomed to flash flooding events due to its low elevation amid surrounding mountains. In April, 10 teenagers died after heavy rain sparked flash flooding south of the Dead Sea.

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