15 dead, 6 missing in floods in Venezuela

At least 15 people have been killed by floods caused by heavy rains in the northwestern Venezuelan city of Merida.

Local newspaper El Nacional quoted officials as saying that 6 people were still missing.

Heavy rains also hit other parts of Venezuela, amid flood warnings.

President Nicolas Maduro said that a total of 35646 people in 85 municipalities were affected by the floods, according to VTV.

Heavy rains, landslides and floods are common in the area.

In 1984, about 16 people died in a landslide caused by heavy rains near Merida, and in 2005, storms killed dozens of people.