A flash flood of mud, rocks and logs, known in Spanish as an aluvión, swept vehicles through the San Carlos de Apoquindo sector of Las Condes in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday 8 October 2026. Las Condes is an eastern commune of the capital so the event matters to US travellers, expats and companies with staff in the city.
Intense rain over a short period activated a ravine, called a quebrada, near the Andes, according to Chilean outlets. Carabineros, Chile’s national police, reported high water flow on General Blanche at 5:00 pm local time.
Video shows several vehicles carried away by the mud, including a RED bus, part of Santiago’s public transport network, with passengers aboard. The early reports we reviewed mentioned no injuries or deaths, and readers in the US with plans in Santiago should check official travel advice.
Key Facts
—Who. Senapred (Chile’s national disaster agency), the Presidential Delegation of the Metropolitan region and the Las Condes municipality are responding.
—What. An aluvión, a flash flood of mud and debris, set off by intense rain and an activated ravine.
—Where. San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes, Santiago, near the Andes.
—When. Late afternoon on Thursday 8 October 2026, about 5 pm Chile time.
—Status. As of 8 October 2026, 21:20 GMT
What We Know
The rain activated a ravine, and La Tercera reported a canal overflow on Francisco Bulnes Correa street. Emol and Diario Financiero list affected streets including General Blanche, Quebrada Honda, Avenida La Plaza, Camino El Alba, Paul Harris, Cristóbal Colón and Álvaro del Portillo.
Miguel Muñoz, the Metropolitan regional director of Senapred, said the intense precipitation had produced a flash flood in Las Condes. Authorities urged residents to follow evacuation directives issued through official channels, La Tercera reported.
Germán Codina, the Presidential Delegate for the Metropolitan region, said authorities were evaluating an emergency SMS alert, known as SAE, with evacuation recommendations. Diario Financiero reported that Codina requested Public Works Ministry machinery and that the perimeter runs between Camino El Alba, Vital Apoquindo and the cordillera to the east.
Clínica UC San Carlos de Apoquindo was reported flooded, and Universidad de Los Andes restricted entry, exit and vehicle removal for staff and students. The Las Condes municipality advised residents to avoid the affected sectors.
A similar mudflow hit the same area on 31 January 2026. La Tercera reported that it dragged sediments, rocks and logs through Francisco Bulnes Correa, and Mayor Catalina San Martín said 11 homes were flooded.
What Is Not Known
The exact number of vehicles swept away is not known, and the reports we reviewed do not give a full count. Rainfall totals and the extent of the damage to homes, roads and businesses were also not given.
It is also unclear whether evacuations are complete, or how long the affected streets will stay closed. No injuries or deaths had been reported in the early reports we reviewed, but the situation was still developing.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Anyone in Santiago should follow the instructions of Senapred and the Las Condes municipality, including evacuation orders. Avoid ravine areas and the streets named above while crews work.
Travellers and expats should check their government’s official travel advice, and ask their hotel or employer, before moving around eastern Santiago. The Las Condes municipality has asked residents to avoid the affected sectors.
US companies with staff in Las Condes may wish to confirm that colleagues are safe and know the local instructions. The January mudflow in the same area shows that the sector has faced this hazard before.
For wider context, see our Latin America coverage and our guide to the best places to live in Chile for expats. We will add confirmed details as official sources publish them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aluvión?
An aluvión is a flash flood of mud and debris, often carrying rocks and logs. In Las Condes it followed intense rain over a short period.
Were people hurt in the Las Condes flood?
No injuries or deaths had been reported in the early reports we reviewed. Rainfall totals, damage and evacuation progress were not yet known.
What should travellers in Santiago do?
Follow the instructions of Senapred and the Las Condes municipality, and avoid ravine areas. Check official travel advice and stay out of affected areas, as the Las Condes municipality advised.
Has this happened in Las Condes before?
A similar mudflow hit the same area on 31 January 2026, La Tercera reported. Mayor Catalina San Martín said then that 11 homes were flooded.
Sources
La Tercera · Emol · Diario Financiero · El Mostrador · La Tercera (31 January 2026 mudflow) · Senapred · Presidential Delegation of the Metropolitan region (statements as reported by Diario Financiero)
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief