“We do not work to force anyone,” says Murillo after reporting 16 deaths from Iota

TODAY NICARAGUA – Designated vice president, Rosario Murillo, in her communication at noon this Wednesday, revealed that the number of fatalities due to the passage of Hurricane Iota in Nicaraguan territory rises to 16 people.

The official government spokeswoman denied responsibility from her government and indirectly blamed the victims for not responding to the emergency call from the authorities.

Regarding the landslide that occurred in the Macizo Peñas Blancas, in the Tuma-La Dalia Municipality, the government spokesperson explained that so far seven bodies have been found, meanwhile, unofficial reports put the body count at 12 and possibly up to 30.

Faced with these deaths, the first lady attributed the blame to the victims and pointed out that her government does not force the population to evacuate from risk areas, but raises awareness to safeguard themselves in times of emergency.

“We do not work to force or force anyone, but we do work to ensure that this awareness of citizen responsibility is activated (…) These families in the Macizo Peñas Blancas had been visited continuously because they were settled in risk areas, they were presented with relocation proposals but did not accept. On this occasion, they were visited asking them to evacuate to shelter but unfortunately, they decided to stay,” said Murillo.

She added that of the 16 fatalities, five of them occurred in the La Piñuela community, in Santa Teresa, Carazo, where two children and their mothers were swept away by the currents after the river overflowed.

“Imagine that the mayor was visiting the families there and they all evacuated, but two families decided to return and at that time it was not raining but the river presented a rapid flood and two houses were razed and dragged two mothers with their daughters,” he continued Murillo justifying himself.

More than 50,000 people in shelters

On the other hand, Murillo said that so far a total of 50,737 people have been evacuated in 1,195 shelters activated throughout the country. “We are going to be working to ensure a return to their homes to the extent that conditions allow it and are not at risk,” said Murillo, who explained that institutions such as “the Nicaraguan Army, the Police, the Firefighters, the Red Cross, the Minsa, the mayors, Enatrel, Enacal, Telcor”.

Murillo added that 123,981 homes across the country are without electricity. It has only been partially restored in some areas of the North Caribbean Coast. There are also 70,000 families in the country without drinking water.