Dominican Republic torrential storm leaves at least 21 dead

A wave of torrential rain sweeping across the Dominican Republic during the weekend left at least 21 dead and thousands of residents displaced, according to government officials.

Authorities are investigating the impact of the storm has after nine people died when the storm caused a highway tunnel wall to collapse in the capital city of Santo Domingo.

The government evacuated more than 13,000 people to safe areas throughout the Caribbean island, afterwards.

According to the island’s Emergency Operations Center (COE), the storm flooded homes, power cuts and damaged roads and bridges.

Among the casualties were three children.

The Dominican Republic’s president, Luis Abinader, said the storm was the "largest rainfall event ever" in the island's history, following heavy downpours during the past two days.

Social media footage depicted the Caribbean island being battered by rainfall with video of water flowing through streets and relocating parked vehicles.

More than 2,600 homes affected by the storm, and 2,500 people were rescued and more than, according to the Emergency Operations Center, adding that 45 communities were incommunicado as of Sunday afternoon.

The heavy rainfall, which came with a tropical depression in the Caribbean, is expected to continue across the island into Monday, according to a report from the U.S. embassy.

Most of the nation's 32 provinces are under yellow and red weather alerts, and President Abinader suspended school for children until Wednesday to “guarantee the safety of our young people.”

Abinader posted on X that he was “deeply shocked by the loss of life due to the heavy rains” and offered “unconditional support to all those affected by this emergency.”

Three of the people who died were from neighboring Haiti, and four were U.S. nationals, according to the AFP news agency.