President Barack Obama has toured the flood-ravaged areas of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he vowed to help residents rebuild in the coming months.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of life,” he said after his tour. Mr Obama dismissed criticism that he arrived too late and praised state officials for their initial response. The president also met the family of Alton Sterling and the families of the Baton Rouge police officers killed last month. Mr Sterling, a black man, was killed at the hands of a white police officer in Baton Rouge.
His death, along with the police killing of Philando Castile in St Paul, Minnesota, stoked racial tensions and led to protests across the country. Nearly two weeks later, three officers were shot and killed and three more were injured in a shooting near the Baton Rouge police headquarters. The gunman, Gavin Long, was shot dead at the scene.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who travelled to Louisiana four days ago, and others have criticised Mr Obama for not cutting short his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard to visit the devastated areas. But Mr Obama hit back after meeting with flood survivors, urging Americans to stay focused on helping the state.
