AT least 13 people have died and many more were injured after a sports centre roof collapsed during a violent storm in Argentina.
A roller-skating exhibition was taking place at the Bahiense del Norte Club, in Bahía Blanca, when the tragedy occurred around 8pm local time on Saturday.
Some 11 people were described by local media as "seriously injured" when rushed to hospital as winds gusted at up to 95mph.
Bahia Blanca mayor Federico Susbielles confirmed the death toll in the early hours of this morning.
“It is with great pain that I have to say that the deaths of 13 people have so far been confirmed," he said.
“We ask the public to take extreme care and not travel on public roads.”
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Revealing a crisis committee had been activated, amid reports of extensive damage elsewhere, he added: “Faced with the catastrophe in the city, the entire government team, together with the police, civil defence, traffic chiefs, firefighters and the army, are working to assist those who need it.”
City hall chiefs said in a tweet: “The situation caused by the storm is a catastrophe.
“Multiple injuries are reported from roof collapses and roofs being blown away, some extremely serious.
“The most complex incident has taken place at the Bahiense del Norte Club.
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“Medical emergency and civil defence teams are working at the scene.
“The official information from weather experts is that there were storms with gusts of wind that reached 84mph.
“The weather conditions are now improving with the passing of the storm front.”
Other local reports, based on central government information, said wind speeds had reached 94mph during the worst of the storm.
The Bahiense del Norte Club is known in Bahia Blanca as the Ginobili family club as it is where Argentine former professional basketball player Manu Ginobili trained as a youngster.
The 46-year-old, a member of the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career, became known as one of the "Big Three" alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker during the team’s era of success.
Ginobili, full name Emanuel David Ginobili Maccari, said in a tweet in the early hours of this morning: “Very sad for what my club, my city and the region is going through.
“A big hug for everyone and my condolences to the families of the victims.”
The former NBA star’s late father Jose was a trainer at the club, which was just a two-minute walk from the family home.
As well as basketball, roller skating and padel tennis were among the sports practised there.
Families with young children are said to have been in the sports club when the roof collapsed.
No information has yet been released about the victims and their ages.
Newly-elected Argentinian president Javier Milei said as news of the scale of the tragedy unfolded: “I deeply regret the victims that this storm caused in Bahía Blanca and I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected.
"We will provide information as we have it.
“We ask everyone who is in risk areas to stay in their homes.”
His office added in a tweet: “The national government is monitoring the delicate situation generated by the electrical storm in the province of Buenos Aires.
“We recommend that the population check the meteorological service and, if necessary, stay in their homes during the early hours of the morning.
“The wind gusts exceeded 150kmh (93mph) in Bahía Blanca and an orange alert is in place in different areas of the province of Buenos Aires.
“At this moment, the National Cabinet is working together with the provincial and municipal authorities to assist the victims and control the damage.”
Video footage taken during the worst of the storm showed torrential rain falling from a charcoal grey sky and the gusting winds lifting up canopies.
Locals accused weather chiefs of failing to properly alert the population about the storm in posts on X, formerly Twitter.
Bahia Blanca resident Abel Escudero Zadrayec said: “In my 49 years I’ve never seen a storm here like this one.”
Another, describing what he had seen as a tornado, added: “Luckily I wasn't working today and the storm caught me at home.
“I bunkered down and we’re fine, except for the worry of some damage. I have never experienced anything like it.
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"It was known that there was going to be a storm in Bahía Blanca but never a tornado.
"Tomorrow when I go out into the street it's going to be devastating.”
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