Worker missing after aqueduct pipe rupture in Tamaulipas; Governor supervises search

Search and rescue operations are underway for a 20-year-old worker, Christian Arturo Cárdenas, who has been missing for over 20 hours following a pipe rupture at the Guadalupe Victoria Aqueduct in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The accident occurred on Monday, June 22, at approximately 5:45 PM during construction work on the aqueduct's second line.

Governor Américo Villarreal Anaya visited the accident site, located near kilometer 28 of the Ciudad Victoria to Villa de Casas highway, to supervise the emergency response efforts. He was accompanied by state officials, including the Secretary of Public Works, the Secretary of Water Resources, the General Coordinator of Civil Protection, and the Director General of Conagua Tamaulipas.

Officials believe the rupture may have been caused by water pressure, leading to a discharge of approximately 1,000 liters of water per second. The force of the water flow complicated the search for Cárdenas. Luis Gerardo González, the state Civil Protection coordinator, assured that efforts would continue until the young man is located, prioritizing the safety of the rescue personnel.

Family members of the missing worker are present at the site and have expressed desperation and frustration regarding the pace of the search. The father of the missing worker voiced his impatience, questioning the time taken for rescue workers to prepare. González refuted claims of slowness, explaining that the terrain poses risks of landslides, requiring rescuers to use safety equipment like helmets, reflective vests, harnesses, and lifelines.