MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Thunderstorms kills 13 in Argentina.

Thunderstorms that swept furiously across central Argentina late Tuesday and all of Wednesday left thirteen dead and caused widespread damage extending to neighbouring Uruguay as the rain, strong winds and hail moved east.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from flooded areas, massive power cuts distorted activities and side winds caused several traffic accidents in highways. The provinces most affected by the storm were Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe in the heartland of Argentina's farm belt. No estimates of crop losses have been advanced. The powerful storm began building early Tuesday as a cold front swept across central Argentina with over 70 miles per hour strong winds that blew roofs, fell trees and electricity pylons.

At least six deaths were caused by highway accidents; in one case a long distance bus was literally lifted from the ground and crashed on its side. Flying debris, lightning, falling trees and live wires killed six more. A taxi driver drowned when his car fell over a bridge by rushing waters. In Buenos Aires at least 600 people were evacuated and in Rosario, the country's second city, over 35,000 were left without electricity.