At least 95 people were killed in Tuesday's severe storms and flooding in eastern Spain, rescue services said Wednesday evening. According to Reuters, this is Spain's deadliest flood since 1996.
Spain. Many people were injured or missing after the floods
As many as 92 deaths were reported in Valencia, two people died in the Castilla-La Mancha region and one person rescued from floodwaters died in hospital in Andalusia. Spanish media reported that children and infants were among the victims.
Many people are missing, and the death toll is likely to rise further. Rescue operations are still ongoing in the Valencian region, with the military also participating with troops.
– All of Spain is crying with you, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday. The politician promised to provide those affected by the disaster with “the necessary resources for as long as they are needed.”
The Spanish government announced a three-day mourning period in the country starting Thursday.
King Felipe VI of Spain expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “We join the Queen in expressing our condolences to all the families affected who have lost loved ones and who still do not know what happened to their loved ones,” the king said.
A red weather warning has been issued
The current severe storms and flooding are the result of an atmospheric phenomenon known in Spain as DANA (Spanish: depresion aislada en niveles altos). It forms when cold air meets warm, moist air over the Mediterranean Sea, creating atmospheric instability that results in extreme weather events such as storms, tornadoes, and floods.
A red alert was issued for Catalonia and Cadiz in Andalusia as storms developed in the northeast and south of the country on Wednesday.
In Valencia, flooding paralyzed transport, with trains and buses suspended, the subway closed, and many flights diverted or cancelled. High-speed rail connections with Madrid may not be restored for the next few days, the Transport Ministry has announced. The main access road to Valencia is closed. Water supply was cut off in several municipalities in the state due to damage to the power grid.
We must make as much information as possible about this tragedy in Valencia and different regions of Spain so that all possible support is received after DANA's passing, we are with you, Lots of strength ❤️#flood pic.twitter.com/LILLoqgvP6
— Sheldon Parodia (@DSheldon_Cooper) October 30, 2024
Energy company Iberdrola said the storm left around 150,000 people without service in Valencia region. her customers. EFE reported that many gas stations in Valencia were destroyed. Farmers in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia fear crop losses could reach millions of euros.
Assistance to areas affected by natural disasters is provided by other autonomous communities in Spain, such as: Aragon, Galicia and Cantabria. This includes, among other things: Helicopters, drones, fire trucks, pumps, personnel.
Support was also declared by the following people, among others: Germany and Portugal. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said, inter alia: Activate the Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate rescue efforts. European Parliament President Roberta Mezzola and EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell also expressed their willingness to help.
The national team and the Spanish team have also shown solidarity with the victims. Valencia CF has converted its stadium in the Mestalla area into a warehouse for food and first aid supplies. Valencia teams' upcoming games have been postponed.
Your browser does not support video players…
dk/kg / Polsatnews.pl / PAP
read more
Source link
