A viral firsthand video captured the terrifying moment a person was trapped inside their vehicle as intense flash floods
A viral firsthand video captured the terrifying moment a person was trapped inside their vehicle as intense flash floods and mudslides swept cars down the streets of Santiago, Chile.
This extreme flash flood and mudslide event occurred on Thursday, October 8, 2026
Overview of the Event
Location: The incident took place primarily in the upscale Las Condes district along Avenida General Blanche in eastern Santiago.
The Cause: Torrential mountain rainfall rapidly activated local ravines, sending a sudden torrent of mud and water rushing down city roads.
Inside the Vehicle: The widely shared eyewitness video shows the view from inside a car as powerful, muddy waters swallow the road. The driver panics, shouting in Spanish (“¡Dios mío! ¡Se la lleva!”) as the vehicle is lifted and swept away alongside rushing trees and floating debris while windows threaten to shatter.
Broader Impact: The sudden deluge swept away multiple private cars, public transit buses, and even emergency municipal vehicles. Chile’s disaster agency, SENAPRED, declared red alerts across 10 communes in the metropolitan region due to widespread flooding.
