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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vanessa Bryant quietly amplifies Mexican rescue efforts as Texas flood death toll climbs past 129 victims
(Image Source - Getty Images) Vanessa Bryant showed that she didn't need a press release or a long caption to make a statement. After the terrible floods in Texas, she shared a tribute to the Mexican rescue teams—only adding a heart. With the state dealing with 129 deaths, 170 missing individuals, and $22 billion in damages, her minimalistic response stood out amidst the chaos, emphasizing how grief, empathy, and global kindness can all come together in one quiet message. Vanessa Bryant's quiet Instagram nod spotlights international rescue In early July, Central Texas went through an extraordinary level of destruction when flash floods struck the Hill Country over the Independence Day weekend. Torrential rain—reaching 32 inches in certain areas—caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 26 feet in under an hour, flooding cabins and neighborhoods. The most affected area, Kerr County—including the beloved Camp Mystic—lost 27 campers and counselors, while recovery efforts across the state confirm at least 129 fatalities, with about 170 people still unaccounted for. The Mexican rescue teams were instrumental in the response efforts. Firefighters from Acuña, Mexico, sent by Fundación 911, showed up in Kerr County to lend a hand to local crews dealing with the wreckage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo They contributed to saving lives and delivering necessary assistance amidst the chaos. Vanessa Bryant's journey has been filled with deep personal loss that became public due to tragedy. In 2020, she faced the heartbreaking loss of her husband Kobe and daughter Gianna, channeling her sorrow into action through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and her wider charitable legacy. In January, her foundation gave away over 8,000 pieces of clothing to families affected by wildfires in Los Angeles. Therefore, when she shared the highlight of the Mexican rescue with just a heart emoji, it was not just a simple gesture — it was a meaningful acknowledgment of humanitarian bravery and togetherness. Numerous celebrities have come together to support Texas—Matthew McConaughey, Hilary Duff, Shakira, and the NBA community have all pledged their backing and contributed millions. Yet, it's Bryant's cross-cultural acknowledgment that truly stands out, highlighting that empathy goes beyond borders. Also Read: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry shocks himself with accidental wedgie shot at celebrity golf event The whole point of the message by Bryant is that solidarity of opportunities is not necessarily loud. During the times of great tragedies, silent solidarity proclaims an understanding, helps to raise awareness, and show flooding-stricken families they are not alone. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'There are no borders': Mexican search and rescue teams join relief efforts in Texas
The search for the victims of the tragic flooding of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas is being joined by emergency teams from across the Río Grande, as Mexican teams have offered their expertise. Volunteer firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, associated with the non-profit group Fundación 911, quickly mobilized to join the growing search and rescue efforts following the disastrous flash flood that left over 100 people dead and many others missing. Their efforts are part of the trans-border solidarity that has marked Mexico's humanitarian relief missions. "When it comes to disasters, especial natural disasters, there are no borders," Jorge Fuentes, with the Fundación 911 group which joined in relief efforts, said. "This support has to be provided." The 13 firefighters arrived hours after the disaster on Friday, July 4, Fuentes said. He described the area they are working in as being completely "devastated," with debris everywhere and parts of mobile homes hanging from trees. "The situation is something extreme," he said. "Fortunately we have the trained personnel to handle this type of situation." More: 'It is a setup': ICE arrests migrants after their hearings at El Paso federal courthouse The volunteers are certified in moving water rescue, preparing them for this type of disaster, Fuentes said. The 13 volunteers were joined Tuesday, July 8, by search and rescue teams from the Mexican state of Nuevo León. The teams were authorized by the state governor Samuel García. "Unfortunately, flooding has resulted in many deaths of many children. Nuevo León is here to help," García said in a news statement. "We are communicating with Governor Greg Abbott and all his people so that Civil Protection and other agencies in Nuevo León can go and assist in this rescue." More: Why do ICE agents wear masks and how it's eroding public confidence in some communities Flash floods along the Guadalupe River left at least 100 people dead over the 4th of July weekend, just outside of San Antonio, Texas. The U.S. National Weather Service office issued an urgent warning early July 4 over the possibility of flash flooding in the area due to heavy rains. By 5:20 a.m., the river began to rise due to the rain, reaching a depth of 34 feet in an hour. More: Federal judge halts financial surveillance order for two El Paso money service providers At least 27 children and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Kerr County, were among the dead. At least 10 others from the camp remain missing. Both Texas and national officials have faced scrutiny over the warnings ahead of the disaster. The volunteer firefighters from Ciudad Acuña received recognition for their work from Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, during a morning news conference in Mexico City on Tuesday, July 8. "They deserve all our recognition," Sheinbaum said as she started to name each of the volunteers. "Mexicans are always in solidarity." More: DHS places new limitations on congressional oversight, as concern grows over ICE facilities Sheinbaum said that her government is in contact with the governor of Texas if any further assistance is needed. The previous day, July 7, the Mexican president expressed her condolences to the victims of the flood and their families. She stated that at least 30 Mexican nationals were impacted by the flooding and that the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio, Texas, was providing assistance to them. Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@ @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @ on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mexican firefighters join search and rescue efforts following Texas flood
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Texas flooding: firefighters from Mexico arrive to aid in search and rescue efforts
A contingent of firefighters and first responders from Mexico arrived in Texas over the weekend to aid in search and rescue efforts following the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River in a show of solidarity with their northern neighbors. 'When it comes to firefighters, there's no borders,' Ismael Aldaba, founder of Fundación 911, in Acuña, Mexico, told CNN on Tuesday. 'There's there's nothing that'll avoid us from helping another firefighter, another family. It doesn't matter where we're at in the world. That's the whole point of our discipline and what we do.' They represent one of a handful of volunteer groups, including highly skilled search and rescue teams from California, that have traveled to Texas after the flooding which is being described as one of the US's deadliest floods in decades. Dozens of people are still missing. Under the command of Mountain Home fire department and Texas state police, Fundación 911 is assisting along the Guadalupe River and coordinating to bring in reinforcements equipped with search and rescue canines from the Mexican state of Nuevo León. The team of 13 hails from just across the US-Mexico border from the Texas counties most severely impacted by the flooding, and has practice responding to crises in flood zones along the Rio Grande River. The arrival of the international team comes amid tensions along the US-Mexico border over the Trump administration's sweeping crackdown on immigration. But the message expressed by the firefighters this week has been one of unity. One of the volunteers, José Omar Llanas Hernández, told CBS News he feels immense pride in being able to serve communities and aid in rescues in any country. His colleague, Jesús Gomez, who is a dual citizen of the US and Mexico, told the outlet: 'There's a bunch of firefighters that have visas and we were like: 'Let's just go and help.'' 'Sometimes people from the other side cross and help us,' he added. 'It's time to give a little bit.' Aldaba said that locals in Texas had been 'welcoming to our team from Mexico'. In a social media post on Monday, the US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, thanked the Mexican teams for their efforts. 'The United States and Mexico are united, not only as neighbors but as family, especially in times of need,' he said. In January, firefighters from Mexico traveled to California to help battle the Los Angeles area wildfires. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Also on Monday, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum applauded the work of two Mexicans who survived the flooding in Texas, and saved at least 20 girls. Silvana Garza Valdez y María Paula Zárate were working as camp counsellors at Camp Mystic, the Christian all-girls summer camp where at least 27 campers were killed in the floodwaters, when the Guadalupe River began to flood. 'We started writing their names, we put their badges on them, we told them to pack a bag with their things, with what they needed most, and if they had their favorite animal, to bring it,' Zárate told the Mexican news outlet N Mas in a Spanish-language interview. Aldaba, the leader of the team of Mexican firefighters, says the first responders have 'received a lot of love' from their US colleagues. 'We appreciate all the other guys that are here from different fire departments in Texas,' she told CNN. 'Our team has been prepared in disasters. They've been to different disasters around the world. We decided to come and help our friends and try to make this a little easier for them. What we found here has been incredible.'
