A devastating isolated depression at high levels (DANA) has resulted in at least 51 deaths in the province of Valencia, Spain, including several minors, according to local authorities. Police sources have indicated that the situation is dramatic and it may take a couple of days to know the exact death toll, which could exceed one hundred.
Local media have reported that the process of lifting and identifying bodies has begun, while several people are still waiting to be rescued alive. The DANA, which has been affecting different autonomous communities such as Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucía, and Madrid since Tuesday, is causing various havoc in the region.
Local authorities have stated that extensive areas of the province have woken up with collapsed roads, power and communication service cuts, highway closures, and enormous material damage due to the storm. Emergency teams, with around 150 people, have been deployed in the affected areas to carry out rescue operations and search for the missing.
The president of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Francina Armengol, decided to suspend the session for government oversight today, Wednesday, and observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the DANA, showing her support for the public services working to mitigate the effects of the disaster. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has reported that Spain is in the "most adverse phase" of the intense rain episode, which could extend until the weekend.
Up to nine regions of the country are on red alert due to the heavy rains, according to Aemet.
