Spain’s Flooding Death Toll Reaches 211 Amid Major Troop Deployment for Rescue Operations
Rescuers have resumed their somber search for bodies as Spain hastily organized aid for affected citizens following catastrophic floods that have claimed over 200 lives.
Chances of discovering survivors are diminishing more than three days after torrents of mud-laden water inundated towns and devastated infrastructure, marking this as the country’s deadliest disaster of its kind in decades.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that an additional 10,000 troops and police officers will be deployed to the eastern Valencia region.
During a televised address, Mr. Sanchez confirmed that he had granted the regional leader’s request for 5,000 extra troops and would also send an additional 5,000 police officers and civil guards, as the death toll rose to 211.
Firefighters are conducting searches for victims among the debris along the riverbank in Valencia.
Officials reported that numerous individuals remain unaccounted for, but ascertaining an exact number is challenging due to the severe damage to telephone and transport networks.
There is hope that the estimated count of missing persons will decrease once telephone and internet services are restored.
Reestablishing order and distributing aid to the devastated towns is a top priority.
Efforts to restore order and deliver aid to towns and villages that have been isolated from food, water, and power for several days are critical.
Authorities have faced criticism regarding the effectiveness of warning systems prior to the floods, and some residents have voiced concerns that the disaster response has been inadequate.
Susana Camarero, the deputy head of the Valencia region, informed reporters today that essential supplies were delivered “from day one” to all accessible areas.
She acknowledged, however, that it was “logical” for affected residents to request more assistance.
Valencia authorities have restricted access to roads for the past two days, allowing emergency services to conduct search, rescue, and logistics operations more effectively.
‘Overwhelmed’ by community support
Thousands of everyday citizens, pushing shopping trolleys and carrying cleaning supplies, took to the streets on Friday to assist with cleanup efforts.
Camarero mentioned that some municipalities were “overwhelmed by the abundance of solidarity and food” they had received.
This wave of community support continued today as approximately 1,000 individuals set out from the Mediterranean coastal city of Valencia towards nearby towns devastated by the floods, as observed by an AFP journalist.
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Authorities have urged the public to remain at home to prevent traffic congestion that could impede the efforts of emergency services.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez chaired a crisis committee meeting with top cabinet members on Saturday and is expected to address the nation later.
The storm that triggered the floods on Tuesday formed as cold air moved over the warm waters of the Mediterranean, which is typical for this time of year.
However, scientists caution that climate change driven by human activities is intensifying the severity, duration, and frequency of such extreme weather events.
