Rescue workers push a boat out of the flooded hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 others survived when the waters rose rapidly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo / Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
TULA, Mexico (AP) - Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital early Tuesday, killing 16 patients, possibly due to the loss of oxygen equipment as the power went out, the national Social Security Institute said.
A video posted on the agency's social media feed said about 40 other patients survived as waters rose swiftly in downtown Tula, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Mexico City, and flooded the public hospital around 6 a.m.
Video recorded inside the hospital showed knee-deep water as staff frantically tried to move patients.
Later Tuesday, emergency personnel evacuated the hospital, loading patients into ambulances to be taken to other health centers.
IMSS Director Zoé Robledo said the waters knocked out power to the area as well as the hospital's generators.
He said the hospital had been caring for 56 patients, about half of them suffering from COVID-19.
Rescue teams of firefighters and soldiers steered boats through Tula's streets rescuing people from flooded homes.
The town's central market was completely flooded. In one location beside the river, a jumble of semi-trailers, buses, tanker trucks and cars lodged against each other semi-submerged at odd angles in rushing water.
Residents carried boxes and bags of salvaged belongings to higher ground.
Tula Mayor Manuel Hernández Badillo said at a news conference, 'œToday the important thing is saving lives.'ť
Flooded halls, damaged beds and medical equipment are seen in the public hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded the hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
Youths walk on a flooded street in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
Flooded halls, damaged beds and medical equipment are seen in the public hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
Vehicles drive through a flooded highway in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
View of the flood damaged entrance to the public hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
Soldiers walk away after rescuing health workers from the flooded hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press
Flooded rooms, damaged beds and medical equipment are seen in the public hospital in Tula, Hidalgo state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Torrential rains in central Mexico suddenly flooded a hospital in Tula, killing more than a dozen patients, with about 40 other surviving as waters rose swiftly and flooded the public hospital. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
The Associated Press