Flash floods in Spain leave at least 51 people dead
At least 51 people have been killed in Spain after flash floods struck parts of the country. Torrential rains flooded roads and towns on Tuesday, resulting in cars being swept through streets, a train being derailed and damaged houses and buildings. Authorities in the worst-hit areas had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.
Emergency services said at least 51 people have died in the floods affecting southeastern Spain[1]. Those killed, in the Valencia region, included children.
Image: A man looks on at the destruction caused by the flash floods in Malaga province. Pic: AP
Image: Pic: AP
In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks. Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away. Authorities used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes.
Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters showed floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes and even carrying cars through the street.
Image: Map of areas hit by floods in Spain
‘Trapped like rats’ Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all affected locations. Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the devastated areas.
“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said several people were still missing in his town. “We were trapped like rats.
Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three meters,” he said. While the rain subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, storms were forecast to continue through Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.
‘It was mayhem’ A British couple told Sky News they had been stuck in their car for almost 10 hours. Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were visiting Valencia on a yoga retreat when they were diverted by police from a motorway at around 8pm last night.
He said: “It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway. “We’ve never seen anything like it.”
Image: Emergency workers help a woman in Letur.
Pic: Europa Press via AP
Image: This was the scene following floods in Llombai, Valencia. Pic: Reuters
The couple, who are originally from the Midlands but now live in Luxembourg, have four children who are safe in Barcelona with relatives.
Mr Farafonov said he and his wife were stuck “on a random rural road in between what were beautiful orange groves”. “We can finally see flashing blue lights so people do know where we are,” he added. “As I say, we are the lucky ones.”
Image: Cars are swept away by the water in Alora. Pic: AP
Image: A helicopter rescue is carried out in Alora, Malaga. Pic: AP
Transport was severely affected by the flooding. A high-speed train with almost 300 people on board was derailed near Malaga, but authorities said no one was hurt.
Rail lines elsewhere were also disrupted.
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years.
Scientists have warned that increased episodes of extreme weather, like flash floods, or the wildfires seen elsewhere in Europe in the summer, are likely linked to human-driven climate change.
Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
References
- ^ Spain (news.sky.com)
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