At least 95 people have died following severe flash floods in Spain, with emergency teams actively searching for others still missing, according to authorities, CNN reported on Wednesday. The hardest-hit region was Valencia, where 92 fatalities were confirmed by Spain’s Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Victor Torres, CNN reported. Additionally, two deaths occurred in Castile-La Mancha, and one in Andalusia.
In the town of Paiporta, Valencia, 40 people, including six retirement home residents, lost their lives, as reported by Mayor Maribel Albalat, citing the Spanish state news agency EFE.
Parts of southern and eastern Spain saw nearly 12 inches of rain within a few hours on Tuesday, marking the heaviest rainfall Valencia has experienced in 28 years, according to the state weather agency AEMET. The region was thrown into disarray as major highways became impassable, with abandoned vehicles swept away by floodwaters.
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According to CNN, videos from rescue agencies show streets underwater, people stranded on rooftops, and overturned cars. Rescue efforts are ongoing in Valencia, Malaga, and Castile-La-Mancha.
Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of Castile-La-Mancha’s regional government, described the flooding as catastrophic: “It’s not a rain pour; it was like a dam burst.”
Train services between Madrid and Valencia have been suspended, along with other public services in the affected areas. Schools, museums, and public libraries in Valencia are expected to remain closed on Thursday.
Reports indicate that approximately 1,200 people are still stranded on various stretches of highway in Valencia, and 5,000 vehicles are immobilized due to the flooding, CNN reported. In towns near rivers, like Utiel and Paiporta, overflowing waters inundated streets, sweeping away vehicles and debris, according to CNN en Español.
The weather phenomenon, known as a “cold drop,” has triggered the most severe flooding in Valencia this century. However, it remains unclear if climate change played a role, CNN reported, citing AEMET.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised that the government would “utilise all available resources” to aid those affected and urged citizens to remain cautious. He is set to visit Valencia on Thursday.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles called the floods an “unprecedented phenomenon” and announced that over 1,000 military personnel had been deployed for rescue efforts. The Spanish government has declared three days of official mourning for the victims, beginning on Thursday.
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