Death Toll from Spain’s Valencia Floods Rises to 217 as Rescue Efforts Continue

 

The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Valencia, Spain, has climbed to 217, officials confirmed on Sunday, as rescue teams and authorities continue their efforts to locate survivors and recover bodies in affected areas.

Describing the severity of the disaster, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation on Saturday, calling it “the most serious flooding our continent has seen so far this century.” During his televised address, Sánchez shared the tragic discovery of bodies in various locations, including homes, garages, riverbanks, and roads, and acknowledged that the current response, while extensive, remains inadequate given the scale of the devastation.

The government has deployed 10,000 soldiers and police to assist local authorities in the Valencia region, located approximately 200 miles east of Madrid. Sánchez announced that the deployment has so far facilitated 4,800 rescues and assisted over 30,000 people affected by the flooding in homes, roads, and industrial zones. However, he admitted, "The magnitude of the catastrophe means that these efforts are still insufficient."

The floods began last Tuesday following relentless rainfall that inundated southeastern Spain, turning streets into rivers and trapping residents in cars and buildings. According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, the Valencia region received a year’s worth of rain within eight hours.

Carlos Mazon, president of the Valencia region, revealed that 69 municipalities across Valencia have been significantly impacted by the flooding. "We have all seen fallen bridges, collapsed roads, washed-out train tracks, and streets filled with mud, cars, and scattered furniture," Mazon stated. In response to mounting questions about the government’s handling of the crisis, he acknowledged the unprecedented scale of the disaster, saying, "We are experiencing the worst crisis in our region’s history. It is a challenge of unimaginable magnitude, but together we will overcome it."

Rescue operations and relief efforts are expected to continue as the nation grapples with the extensive damage and disruption caused by the unprecedented floods.