BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Catastrophic flash floods have struck eastern Spain, claiming the lives of at least 63 people, with torrents of water sweeping away vehicles, inundating streets, and wreaking havoc across rail lines and highways. The floods, which stretch from Malaga to Valencia, are being described as one of Spain's worst natural disasters in recent memory.
In the region of Valencia, emergency services confirmed a death toll of 62 on Wednesday, with an additional fatality reported in Cuenca in the Castilla-La Mancha region.
Triggered by Tuesday's severe rainstorms, the flooding transformed streets into rivers of mud and debris, carrying vehicles and household items in fast-moving currents. Police and rescue teams deployed helicopters and inflatable boats to evacuate people stranded in their homes and vehicles, many of whom had climbed onto rooftops to escape the rising waters.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation, expressing solidarity with affected families. “Our priority is to help you," he said. "We are mobilizing every resource to support recovery and relief in this time of tragedy."
Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons
Authorities confirmed several people were missing as of Tuesday night, and the grim announcement of dozens of casualties followed by morning. Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel in Valencia, described the devastation as unprecedented. “Cars and trash containers were being swept down the streets. The water rose up to three meters,” he said, adding that residents had been “trapped like rats.”
Rescue Efforts and Support
Spain's response has been swift, with over 1,000 soldiers from emergency units deployed to assist in rescue operations. Additional teams are rushing in from other parts of Spain, and a government crisis committee has been established to coordinate ongoing rescue and relief efforts. In one dramatic rescue, an elderly couple was evacuated from the upper story of their home by a military unit using a bulldozer.
Unprecedented Weather and Damage
Residents have shared harrowing videos of streets overwhelmed by floodwaters, homes inundated, and bridges destroyed. This disaster recalls similar catastrophic floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021, which resulted in significant casualties.
With regions still inaccessible and several areas reporting new missing persons, the death toll is likely to increase. Six people were confirmed missing in Letur, a village in Castilla-La Mancha.
In a stark contrast, Spain has been grappling with severe drought and record-high temperatures in recent years, with scientists attributing the surge in extreme weather events to climate change. The storms brought a rare hailstorm that shattered car windows and a tornado that tore through several areas.
Transportation and Infrastructure Impact
Flooding has also disrupted transportation across the region. A high-speed train with nearly 300 passengers derailed near Malaga, though no injuries were reported. Rail services between Valencia and Madrid have been suspended, along with multiple commuter lines.
Valencian President Carlos Mazón has urged residents to stay home, as roadways remain impassable due to fallen trees and debris.
As the floodwaters recede, streets are left caked in thick layers of mud. In the village of Barrio de la Torre, bar owner Christian Viena described the scene as “total devastation,” with cars piled up and mud reaching 30 centimeters deep.
A Region Vulnerable to Sudden Flooding
Situated on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Valencia’s landscape includes dry riverbeds and narrow gorges that are prone to flash flooding. While these areas are often dry, heavy rains quickly turn them into dangerous waterways that flow through densely populated areas, compounding the region’s vulnerability to such disasters.
As emergency services continue to assist affected communities, the country faces the long road to recovery from one of its most severe floods in recent history.
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