At least 24 dead and up to 25 children missing in ‘terrible’ Texas floods

At least 24 people have died, and up to 25 people at a girls’ camp remained missing, as flash floods hit the US state of Texas on Friday, according to officials.

US President Donald Trump called the tragedy, which happened on Independence Day, “shocking” and “terrible”. Federal officials have pledged assistance, said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

An overnight search and rescue operation was under way, Abbott said, though Texas officials could not confirm the number of people missing.

Water levels rose quickly before the river was flooded. “Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives,” Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said.