Body of one of two girls missing since Bahía Blanca floods found

Authorities on Sunday confirmed they have found the body of a five-year-old girl, the elder of two sisters who went missing during the deadly mid-March floods in the city of Bahía Blanca.

The tragic news raises the confirmed death toll to 17.

The city, home to 350,000 residents and located 600 km south of Buenos Aires, experienced rainfall on March 7 that doubled the area's annual average. The intense storm that struck Bahía Blanca left the city without electricity or drinking water, while essential services were disrupted. The flooding caused material damage estimated at US$400 million.

The discovery was made in the area of the Baterías de la Armada Argentina, a coastal military zone situated near the town of Punta Alta, in the district of Coronel Rosales. Although official identification is still pending, authorities suspect the body is that of five-year-old Pilar Hecker.

The youngster's family has already been notified, and forensic analysis is under way to confirm the identity.

Chief Prosecutor Juan Pablo Fernández confirmed the finding via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, writing: "The body of Pilar Hecker, the five-year-old girl who went missing during the flood, has been found."

Bahía Blanca Mayor Federico Susbielles expressed his sorrow on social media, describing the discovery as "an immense sorrow for the city." He added: "Our condolences and support to her parents, Andrés and Marina, and to her loved ones on this very difficult and sad day for us all."

Argentines were shaken by fate of Hecker and her one-year-old sister, who is still missing.

The discovery took place three weeks after the devastating storm that struck Bahía Blanca. Pilar and her younger sister, Delfina, have been the subject of an intense search operation involving rescue workers, firefighters and volunteers since the day of their disappearance.

Personnel from the Argentine Navy, at the request of Prosecutor Marina Lara, were conducting a coastal search when they found the body on a beach.

Judicial sources said the corpse was in an advanced state of decomposition. Preliminary identification was made based on the size of the bones and personal belongings, which matched the characteristics listed in the missing person report.

Prosecutor Marina Lara has travelled to the site of the discovery to oversee proceedings.

The mayor’s office also issued a statement: "With deep sorrow, we report that Chief Prosecutor Juan Pablo Fernández has confirmed the discovery of the body of Pilar Hecker, one of the girls who went missing during the March 7 flood, in the area of the Baterías de la Armada Argentina, where Prosecutor Marina Lara is currently working."

Hecker was swept away 350 metres by a current along with her one-year-old sister — Delfina, who is still missing — as their mother attempted to move them from her car to a van driven by a man who was trying to help them.

The car was carried away by the water. When it finally came to a stop, the older daughter and the mother — holding the younger child in her arms — climbed onto the roof to seek shelter, but another wave dragged them away.

The mother survived, as did the children's father, but the body of the van driver was subsequently located.