At least 51 people have died in Spain's eastern region of Valencia after devastating flash floods swept through the area, marking the worst natural disaster in the country in recent years.
Emergency services confirmed the tragic death toll on Wednesday, following intense rainstorms on Tuesday that turned village streets into raging rivers and submerged cars and homes.
The heavy rains unleashed mud-colored water that ripped vehicles away at terrifying speeds, while debris such as wood and household items floated through the streets. Police and rescue teams deployed helicopters to evacuate residents trapped in their homes and vehicles.
The authorities initially reported several missing individuals late Tuesday, but dawn brought the harrowing news of dozens of fatalities. Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain's emergency response units have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas.
Ricardo GabaldĂłn, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, described Tuesday as \"the worst day of my life.\" He reported that several people remain missing in his community.
\"We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three meters,\" GabaldĂłn said to national broadcaster RTVE.
While Spain has experienced severe autumn storms in recent years, nothing has matched the devastation seen over the past two days. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue in regions with limited access. In Letur, a village in the neighboring Castilla La Mancha region, Mayor Sergio MarĂn Sánchez reported six people missing.
In addition to the human toll, infrastructure has been severely affected. A high-speed train carrying nearly 300 passengers derailed near Malaga, though no injuries were reported. High-speed rail services between Valencia and Madrid are suspended, along with several commuter lines.
Carlos MazĂłn, the Valencian regional President, urged residents to stay home to facilitate rescue operations, noting that roads remain treacherous due to fallen trees and wrecked vehicles.
\"The neighborhood is destroyed; all the cars are on top of each other. It's literally smashed up,\" said Christian Viena, a bar owner in Barrio de la Torre, a Valencian village. \"Everything is a total wreck; everything is ready to be thrown away. The mud is almost 30 centimeters deep.\"
Spain's central government has established a crisis committee to coordinate ongoing rescue efforts. Although the heavy rains have lessened in Valencia since late Wednesday morning, more storms are forecasted for Thursday, according to Spain's national weather service.
The country is still grappling with the aftermath of a severe drought earlier this year, and scientists warn that increased instances of extreme weather are likely connected to climate change.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
