24 Dead, More Than 20 Children Missing from Girls' Summer Camp in Texas Floods

Addis Ababa, July 5, 2025 (ENA)— At least 24 people have been killed in the US state of Texas following heavy rain caused flash flooding,’ according to local media reports.

Many others are also missing, including more than 20 girls from a summer camp, after a storm caused severe flooding in Texas.

The missing children were among more than 700 who were at a summer camp when floodwaters swept through.

The total number of missing is not known, Sheriff Leitha warned.

 

As much as 10ins (25cm) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, washing out homes and sweeping away vehicles.

An official in the city of Kerville told reporters the flooding struck just before dawn "over a very short period of time that could not be predicted, even with the radar".

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

The judge told reporters at a news conference that "most" of the bodies are yet to be identified.

 

"We're trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don't have it yet," he said.

As of Friday night, emergency personnel had rescued or evacuated 237 people, including 167 by helicopter, according to Major General Thomas Suelzer, the adjutant general for the state of Texas.

Emergency services are continuing a frantic search to find those missing - including the girls.

 

The children were among more than 700 who were at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, when the fast-rising floodwaters hit.