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6 die in a landslide caused by heavy rains in Mexico

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6 die in a landslide caused by heavy rains in Mexico
News

News

6 die in a landslide caused by heavy rains in Mexico

2024-09-18 14:32 Last Updated At:14:41

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A landslide caused by heavy rains has killed six people near Mexico City, authorities said.

The landslide on Monday night in Naucalpan, a community northwest of Mexico City, also affected a house and school, the State of Mexico government said in a statement. The victims were four men and two women. Another three people were injured and transported to a state hospital.

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Estrella Bejarano, second from right, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from right, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from left, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from left, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Soldiers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Soldiers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents gather near the site where various were buried after a landslide caused by rains, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents gather near the site where various were buried after a landslide caused by rains, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Municipal police officers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Municipal police officers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents volunteer at the site where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents volunteer at the site where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Dogs sit next to a damaged house where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Dogs sit next to a damaged house where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, center, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, center, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

State Gov. Delfina Gómez ordered the deployment of rescue teams and security task forces to support affected families.

The deaths in Naucalpan occurred a few days after another landslide killed nine people on Saturday in Jilotzingo, west of Mexico City in the State of Mexico. A 3-month-old baby was among the victims. Two children, ages 10 and 12, and a 34-year-old woman were rescued. Several homes were affected and authorities had to evacuate more than 100 people for fear of further landslides.

The landslides and heavy rains have been pounding the State of Mexico since the start of the rainy season in late July.

In cities like Chalco that have also experienced heavy torrential rains, the combination of unchecked growth and failing infrastructure have caused sewage-infused waters to invade streets, homes and businesses.

Estrella Bejarano, second from right, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from right, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from left, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, second from left, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with relatives in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Soldiers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Soldiers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents gather near the site where various were buried after a landslide caused by rains, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents gather near the site where various were buried after a landslide caused by rains, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Municipal police officers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Municipal police officers guard the area where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents volunteer at the site where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Residents volunteer at the site where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Dogs sit next to a damaged house where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Dogs sit next to a damaged house where various people died after a rain-induced landslide, in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, center, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Estrella Bejarano, center, the mother of two children who died after a rain-induced landslide, speaks with Mexico State Governor Delfina Gomez in Naucalpan, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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