Asia-Pacific

Tropical storm kills 12 in Guatemala

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-30 09:59

Pedestrians try to avoid being splashed by a passing car in the rain caused by Tropical Storm Agatha in Guatemala City May 29, 2010. Guatemala declared a state of emergency on Saturday as heavy rain from Tropical Storm Agatha lashed the Central American nation, killing at least four people and forcing hundreds from their homes. [Photo/Agencies]

GUATEMALA CITY - Tropical storm Agatha has left 12 people dead and 11 missing in Guatemala, and forced the evacuation of about 3,000, officials said Saturday.

Emergency officials said the fatalities include two adults and two children who were killed when their home was buried in a mudslide in Alomolonga, about 200 km west of the capital.

Guatemala has declared a state of emergency as Agatha, the first named storm of the current Pacific hurricane season, picked up momentum.

The storm was hitting Guatemala and the neighboring El Salvador with a maximum sustained wind speed of 75 km per hour.