At Least 89 People Still Missing After Devastating Floods in Eastern Spain

 

At least 89 individuals remain missing following catastrophic flooding in eastern Spain, according to the regional judicial authorities in Valencia. The devastating floods, caused by intense rainfall last week, have already claimed the lives of more than 200 people across the Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia regions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed that the government is allocating €10.6 billion (£8.9 billion) in aid to assist the victims of the disaster.

The missing persons count reflects those whose family members have reported them, providing essential personal information and biological samples to assist with identification. However, officials noted that the actual number of missing individuals could be higher, as additional cases may not yet have been formally recorded. The floods, which occurred when heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, led to flash floods that devastated suburban areas south of Valencia, sweeping away vehicles, bridges, and properties, and flooding underground parking facilities.

Sánchez emphasized the severity of the ongoing crisis during a press conference in Madrid, stating, "We have to keep working." At least 217 people have been confirmed dead, with 133 identified so far. Coroners have conducted 195 autopsies, but 62 bodies remain unidentified. Authorities have urged families of missing persons to submit DNA samples to assist in the identification of bodies.

The Spanish government is deploying further resources to aid in the search and recovery efforts. A research vessel from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is set to arrive in Valencia on November 9. The vessel is equipped with advanced technology capable of mapping the seafloor and exploring hard-to-reach areas, as some of the missing individuals may have been swept out to sea.

In response to the widespread devastation, Sánchez announced a package of financial aid, including €838 million in direct cash support for small businesses and freelancers, as well as €5 billion in state-backed loans. The government will also cover the full costs of cleanup efforts by local authorities and half of the expenses for repairing damaged infrastructure.

The floods caused significant damage to the region’s infrastructure, with over 100,000 vehicles reported as damaged. The economic toll on businesses in affected towns is estimated to exceed €10 billion.

Despite criticism regarding the slow initial response to the disaster, Sánchez defended the government’s actions, noting the deployment of nearly 15,000 police officers and military personnel, as well as hundreds of forestry officials and forensic scientists, to assist with clearing debris and flood-affected areas. He explained that the regional government's approval was required before the full-scale operation could begin.

The disaster has also sparked political tensions. Valencia's regional leader, Carlos Mazón, blamed delays in issuing flood alerts on the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ), which handles river flow measurements. The CHJ countered that it is not responsible for flood warnings, which fall under the jurisdiction of regional governments.

The ongoing recovery efforts continue as authorities work to locate the missing and assist those who have been affected by the catastrophic floods.