The number of victims of devastating floods in Spain has reached 223 people. The search for missing people continues in some regions. Helicopters, drones and specially trained dogs take part in operations on the beaches, estuaries and in the area of Lake Albufera.
Regions of southeastern Spain are still dealing with the effects of the biggest wave of flooding in decades. At the end of October, as a result of heavy rains, many cities and towns of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia were flooded.
On Friday, authorities confirmed four more victims in Valencia. In this autonomous community alone, which was hit hardest by the disaster, 215 people died, compared to 223 in all of Spain.
About 100 people are still being searched, and the bodies of several dozen have not yet been identified.
Thousands of people, special equipment
Helicopters, drones and specially trained dogs are involved in search operations on beaches, rivers and in the area of Lake Albufera. As the AP agency reports, the research vessel used for the study of marine ecosystems is also used. Its mission will be to patrol the seabed in search of vehicles that have been washed away by water and mud in the Mediterranean Sea.
“It is like looking for a needle in a huge haystack,” writes the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo”.
About 2.5 thousand people are participating in the events of Valencia. firefighters, 9,700 policemen and gendarmes and 8,000 military personnel. In addition, thousands of volunteers.
Search for the missing in ValenciaPAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
Protest in Valencia
The Catalan newspaper “La Vanguardia” writes about the “chaos” in the devastated areas, which “creates more distrust among a tired and angry population”. On Saturday, dozens of public organizations and trade unions organized a protest demonstration against the head of the community of Valencia, Carlos Mazon, and demanded his resignation. The politician of the People's Party is considered one of the people responsible for such a large number of victims. Although weather conditions have improved in recent days, weather warnings are still in effect in some cities.
Flooding in Cadaques
Heavy rain overnight from Thursday to Friday caused severe flooding in Cadaques in the Girona region of Catalonia. The flowing water washed away more than 30 parked cars. There is no information about the injured. On Friday, the state meteorological agency AEMET reported that the heaviest rainfall this year was in October, with an average of 147 liters per square meter in mainland Spain.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
