Spain floods: At least 95 people killed including British man near Malaga
The number of people killed in floods in Spain has risen to at least 95, with a British man now confirmed among the dead. Cars were swept through streets and numerous buildings damaged as some places reportedly got half a year’s rain in a matter of hours. Ninety-two people were killed in the eastern Valencia region and two in the central Castilla La Mancha area.
Meanwhile, a 71-year-old British man died in hospital after being rescued from his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, near the southern city of Malaga. He was suffering hypothermia and died after several cardiac arrests, said the president of the Andalucia government. Follow latest: People ‘trapped like rats’ – with towns under water[1]
Authorities in the worst-hit areas – in Spain[2]‘s east and south – had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel. Valencia’s regional authorities said early on Wednesday evening that the number of dead had risen to at least 92. The fatalities include children.
Authorities in Castilla La Mancha said the two people killed there included an 88-year-old woman found dead in the city of Cuenca.
Image: Residents look at cars piled up after being swept away by floods in Valencia. Pic: AP
Image: A man looks on at the destruction caused by the flash floods in Malaga province. Pic: AP
Image: A river burst its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga. Pic: AP
In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura mountain range, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks. The local mayor, Sergio Marin Sanchez, said six people in the region were missing.
Dozens of videos on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwater, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away. Helicopters were used to rescue some people from their homes. Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters showed water rising into the lower levels of homes and carrying cars through the street.
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Image: The eastern region of Valencia (in red) was hardest hit
PM warns of more storms Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a press conference that “we are united and we will rebuild your streets and your squares and bridges,” telling those affected: “Spain will be with you.”
He said the government’s crisis committee would work “hand in hand” with local authorities and town mayors for “24 hours a day as long as the emergency goes on”. However, he cautioned that the “devastating event” may not be over, as forecasters predict further storms into Thursday.
Image: People walk through flooded streets in Valencia.
Pic: AP
Image: Cars piled up after being swept away by floods. Pic: AP
Image: A watermark on a wall shows how high floodwaters reached in Letur. Pic: Reuters
‘Trapped like rats’ Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all locations.
More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to help. “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.
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Firefighters rescue drivers from floods
“We were trapped like rats,” Mr Gabaldon said. “Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets.
The water was rising to three metres.” While the rain subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, storms were forecast to continue on 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
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.”
The couple, who are originally from the Midlands but now live in Luxembourg, have four children who are safe in Barcelona with relatives.
Image: Cars are swept away by the water in Alora. Pic: AP
Image: A helicopter rescue is carried out in Alora. Pic: AP
‘Half a year’s rain’
Jon Clarke, editor of news outlet The Olive Press, told Sky News from one of the worst affected areas in Malaga that he expected more deaths to be announced. He said the storms were “the worst natural disaster at least for 50 years”. Mr Clarke said some areas in the Valencia region were hit by “half a year’s rain” in six to seven hours.
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Dog and woman rescued from deadly floods
Transport was also severely affected, with a high-speed train with almost 300 people on board derailed near Malaga.
Authorities said no one was hurt. Rail lines elsewhere were also disrupted. Spain’s transport ministry announced just before 11am that the high-speed train between Valencia and Madrid would be suspended throughout Wednesday.
Image: A member of the Spanish UME military unit walks on the debris in Letur. Pic: Reuters
Image: Encarna Rivero, 88, being welcomed by her son and nephew after flooding in Letur. Pic: PA
Image: Encarna and her husband Jose Tomas, 89, were left stranded at a neighbour’s home.
Pic: Reuters
‘Titanic work’ Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they were “devastated” by the deadly floods. “Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the more than 50 deceased,” they said in a statement.
“Strength, courage and all the necessary support for all those affected. “Our warmest message and recognition to local and regional authorities and all emergency services, armed forces and state security forces and corps for the titanic work they have been doing from the very beginning.”
Football matches involving Valencia and Levante, who are both based in the city, have been postponed. Both teams were due to play in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
Other midweek games could also be cancelled, along with Saturday’s league match between Valencia and Madrid.
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
- ^ People ‘trapped like rats’ – with towns under water (news.sky.com)
- ^ Spain (news.sky.com)
- ^ Your Report (qrcode.skynews.com)
- ^ WhatsApp (wa.me)
- ^ Email (news.sky.com)
- ^ China’s richest man named (news.sky.com)
- ^ Hotel building collapses (news.sky.com)
- ^ Tram crashes into shop (news.sky.com)