Death toll from floods in northern Chile climbs to 9

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in northern Chile has climbed to nine, while 19 people remain unaccounted for, the country's Interior Ministry's National Emergency Office (ONEMI) reported Friday.

"The number of fatal victims rose to nine people: six in the Atacama Region and three in Antofagasta. We haven't been able to identify all of the victims as yet," ONEMI Director Ricardo Toro said at a press conference.

Authorities have declared northern Chile a "catastrophe zone", following the heaviest rainfall in 80 years, which has inundated roads and cut off access to several communities.

"As we reopen the roads ... we could have higher figures of fatalities or missing, but we will be tallying up the numbers throughout the day and especially tonight," said Toro, as the weather cleared up enough to allow clean up and aid efforts.

The rains have driven some 2,000 people from their homes, and some 6,000 to emergency shelters. Schools, meanwhile, have been totally closed in Antofagasta and Atacama, and partially closed in Coquimbo.

Water and electricity has been cut off in various communities, including Taltal, which is accessible only by air, and flooding and mud slides affected several towns in Chile's Atacama desert region, where residents are unaccustomed to such weather disasters.

To prevent looting, authorities have declared an 11 o'clock curfew. Endite