The intense rains in Spain have so far left at least 202 dead in Valencia. Amparo Fort, the mayor of Chiva, mentioned that many cars will be empty, but others will unfortunately be full of victims. Meanwhile, the process of collecting and identifying the deceased continues.
In the cleanup operation in Valencia, an additional 500 military personnel are participating, joining the 1,205 workers already deployed. Utility companies are working hard to restore electrical supply to thousands of affected residents. Defense Minister Margarita Robles assured that as many workers as necessary will be deployed in the affected areas.
In a statement to RTVE, Minister Robles reaffirmed the commitment to provide all possible help amid the tragedy. The search for victims continues in a desolate scene where dragged vehicles block the streets after the devastating floods caused by the DANA.
Commander Pizarro, in command of a unit of Civil Guard divers, confirmed to RNE radio that the identification of new bodies is ongoing in the area. The phenomenon of the DANA has caused record rainfall that triggered flash floods.
The Valencia region has been hit hard, with destroyed bridges and homes swept away by the floods. Residents of La Torre and Chiva have been involved in cleaning the streets and homes, while the extent of the catastrophe continues to be assessed. The emergency has led to an unprecedented deployment of personnel, combining military and civilian efforts in a race against time to save lives.
Spain's history records other tragedies caused by floods, such as those that occurred in 1973 in Granada, Murcia, AlmerÃa, and Alicante, in 1982 in Valencia, in 1983 in the Basque Country and other regions, and in 1996 in the Huesca Pyrenees. The magnitude of the current floods in Valencia ranks among the most severe in the last 75 years in the country.
On the other hand, a red alert has been issued for new rainfall on the coast of Huelva, adding to precautionary measures in various provinces. The solidarity of hundreds of volunteers and neighbors has been deployed towards the affected areas, bringing tools and supplies to assist in rescue and cleanup efforts. The efforts focus on mitigating the catastrophic impact of the floods and providing support to the devastated communities.
