Santiago, July 22 (QNA) - Thirteen people have been killed and seven others are missing due to heavy rains that hit various parts of Chile.

Local authorities said that storms swept through the central region down to the south, causing widespread flooding, road closures, and damage to many homes.

Alicia Cebrián, head of Chile's emergency office, said: 'The rains that fell over the past few days have undermined waterways, streams, and riverbanks, and the risk of rising water levels in some of them remains.'

She noted that 2,281 people have been displaced due to the rains, in addition to the destruction of 81 homes, while 2,761 homes have suffered severe damage. Furthermore, 87,000 people are still without electricity, coinciding with the suspension of classes in schools in several municipalities across four regions.