HURRICANE "RACHEL" DEATH TOLL RISES TO EIGHT

MEXICO CITY, OCTOBER 15 /SRNA - RIA Novosti/ - The death toll from Hurricane "Rachel" in the Mexican state of Baja California has risen to eight, including four minors, the newspaper El Universal reported.

"We found one minor alive and, unfortunately, eight people dead. We are continuing the search for two more people," said General Daniel Gallegos, commander of the 2nd Military Zone, according to the newspaper.

Eight people, including a family of four, died in flash floods in the municipality of Ensenada, which was the hardest hit.

Military personnel and emergency services are working to deal with the aftermath of the severe weather and continue searching for missing people.

Ensenada Mayor Claudia Agatón signed a request yesterday to declare a state of emergency due to the natural disaster, so that the city could receive assistance and financial support from the state and federal governments.