A Christian camp for girls in Texas has confirmed on its website that they are “mourning the loss of 27 campers and counsellors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River”.

Camp Mystic, founded in 1927 and located in Kerr County (100 kilometres from the city of San Antonio), is located in a wooded area.

It offered all kinds of activities in four-week stays for different age groups and was for girls only.

It all happened on Friday, 5 July. In just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River overflowed, reaching a height of up to 6 metres and sweeping away houses and all kinds of facilities near the riverbed.

At the time of the flood, there were 750 people at the camp. Monitors and staff tried to get all the campers to higher ground. However, a total of 27 girls and team members lost their lives. Among the victims is the camp director, who had also rushed to the facilities closest to the river to save campers.

“Our hearts are broken alongside our families who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly”, said a statement from the Christian ministry. “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, first responders, and officials at every level. We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us”.

Camp Mystic was set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026 and thousands of girls, including current political, academic and business leaders, had participated in its activities.

A total of 108 dead

Across the state, authorities reported 108 deaths in their latest tally on 7 July: 56 adults, 28 minors and 32 people unidentified.

More than 400 people in emergency teams were still working in the large affected area four days after the disaster.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott gave details of the disaster to the press, adding that “it is right and fitting that the people of Texas should join with others from across the country and around the world to seek God's wisdom for ourselves and our leaders”.

Local churches in the area and humanitarian aid organisations participated in the first response.