Spain floods latest: Victims ‘trapped like rats’ and 73 dead as Spanish PM says ‘devastating episode’ not over
The death toll continues to rise after the worst flash floods in three decades swept the eastern Spanish region of Valencia
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Devastating flash flooding in southern and eastern Spain have left at least 73 people dead, with tragic reports suggesting a baby and eldery woman are among the victims.
As torrential rain – amounting to a year’s worth in just eight hours, in some areas – inundated cities like Valencia and Malaga, many found themselves "trapped like rats" in their homes and cars, surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from their homes and cars as mud-coloured water quickly filled streets in villages, towns and cities.
More than 1,000 soldiers were deployed to the worst-hit areas to help search for those unaccounted for.
As Spain’s central government set up a crisis committee to help co-ordinate rescue efforts, authorities confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that 73 people have died so far.
Reports have suggested that a baby is among four people who have died in the town of Torrent, just outside Valencia. The Independent has so far been unable to verify the information.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said dozens of towns had been flooded.
“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” Mr Sanchez said in a televised address. “Our priority is to help you. We are putting all the resources necessary so that we can recover from this tragedy.”
Adding: “We mustn’t let our guard down because the weather front is still wreaking havoc and we can’t say that this devastating episode is over.”
PINNED: Floods in Spain: What we know so far
- At least 73 people have been killed after torrential rain led to flash floods in villages, towns and cities across eastern and southern Spain. Of those, 62 died in the Valencia region, while two were killed in the Castilla La Mancha provence.
- More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response unit have been deployed to the most devastated areas to help search for missing people, and to clear up the damage caused by the floods.
- Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned the danger is not over despite rain having subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, with the storm heading north. “For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” he said in a televised message.
- The project to rebuild towns and cities following the damage will be huge, said Mr Sanchez, who also hinted he could call on the help of European Union states. Germany has already offered its support.
- Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, has issued alerts for regions in the south west and north east of the country, with heavy showers forecast.
Pictured: Spain’s King Felipe meets with UME unit as floods hit Spain
Rescued 71-year-old man dies in hospital in Malaga
A 71-year-old man who was rescued from his home after the floods in Malaga has died in hospital.
According to the Andalusian President Juanma Moreno, the man was transferred from the affected town of Álora on Tuesday.
Portugal ready to hand Spain ‘all necessary help’
Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro has said his country is ready support Spain following the deadly floods.
“The Portuguese government expresses its strongest condolences over the high number of flood victims in Spain, shows solidarity with all the Spanish people and the government and makes itself available for all necessary help,” he said.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock also offered help to Spain.
“Europe is standing together. Germany is ready to help in any way necessary,” Ms Baerbock said.
And Ms Meloni said: “Italy is close to Spain in this terrible moment.”
Pictured: Dana storm leaves destroyed towns and hundred of displaced
Dana storm causes £5.6m in damages in southern Spain
The City Council of El Ejido (Almería) has estimated that the damages caused by heavy rain and hailstorms since last Monday amount to €6.8 million (£5.6m) in public spaces, buildings, and municipal facilities.
Mayor Francisco Góngora and local authorities, who have quantified the damages, said that the destruction has been "substantial and severe”.
Mr Góngora said the storm has affected "more than thirty municipal buildings,” particularly in the areas of El Ejido, Santa María del Águila, Almerimar, and Las Norias.
At least 34 dead in a town ‘totally cut off’ in Valencia
The mayor of a town in Valencia, Paiporta, has confirmed at least 34 dead due to the dana floods.
Maribel Albalat, from the town of only 25,000 inhabitants, has said the area is “totally cut off, and nothing is working,” and they have “no water.”
The mayor added that the town is trying to “open communication routes” and urged those unable to locate family members in Paiporta to go to the Civil Guard Command in Calamocha Street, Valencia.
Pictured: Military deployed to assist rescue teams in Valencia
Andalusia issues rare red emergency level and urges for ‘maximum caution’
Andalusia has raised its emergency level to red due to the severe risk of flooding in the Cádiz countryside.
The decision follows Spanish meteorological agency’s red warning of heavy rains - which has already caused flooding and road closures in Jerez de la Frontera.
The region has now sent warnings to all mobile phones in the red alert area, urging residents to be extremely caution and avoid travel.
Andalusian President Juan Manuel Moreno has called for "maximum caution."
In pictures: Heavy floods leave cars piled up on the streets of Valencia
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