Death Toll Surpasses 200 in Spain Floods
Nearly 2,000 individuals are unaccounted for following eastern Spain's most devastating natural disaster in decades. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Nearly 2,000 individuals are still unaccounted for following one of the most devastating natural disasters in decades that struck eastern Spain.
As reported on Saturday, the death toll from the catastrophic floods has exceeded 200, attributed to unprecedented rainfall in the eastern province of Valencia, which resulted in widespread destruction.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska indicated on radio station Cadena SER that it is “reasonable to assume” that the number of victims in Valencia and other regions will likely increase. He stated that around 1,900 people are still missing after floods triggered by an extreme weather phenomenon known as DANA.
DANA, which stands for high-altitude isolated depression in Spanish, can lead to prolonged heavy rains in mountainous regions. The deluge began on Monday, leading to severe flooding that caused bridges to collapse, swept away vehicles, inundated towns with thick mud, and resulted in power outages affecting approximately 140,000 residents.
The extent of the devastation is “unprecedented in the country's history,” as noted by Transport Minister Oscar Puente during a press briefing. He emphasized that the situation is “not even close” to the calamity Valencia faced in 1975, when at least 81 lives were lost. Puente underscored that transport infrastructure has significantly increased in density since the 1950s, rendering “the network practically destroyed.”
Among the hardest-hit areas is the municipality of Paiporta, located on the southwest outskirts of Valencia, where over 60 fatalities have been confirmed due to near-total flooding. Media outlets showcased satellite imagery highlighting the extent of the damage.
A weather station in Turis reported an astonishing 179.2 liters per square meter of rain in just one hour on Wednesday, according to the national meteorological agency. This record surpasses the previous mark set in 2018 and is roughly equivalent to the region’s typical annual rainfall.
Concerns about potential looting in the affected regions have also been voiced by the interior minister. In response to the disaster, the Spanish Armed Forces announced the deployment of an additional 1,000 troops.
Simultaneously, up to 7,000 civilians are anticipated to join the disaster relief efforts, as reported by El Pais, citing Miguel Salvador, head of a Valencian volunteer organization. He mentioned that over 100,000 people have expressed their willingness to assist.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
As reported on Saturday, the death toll from the catastrophic floods has exceeded 200, attributed to unprecedented rainfall in the eastern province of Valencia, which resulted in widespread destruction.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska indicated on radio station Cadena SER that it is “reasonable to assume” that the number of victims in Valencia and other regions will likely increase. He stated that around 1,900 people are still missing after floods triggered by an extreme weather phenomenon known as DANA.
DANA, which stands for high-altitude isolated depression in Spanish, can lead to prolonged heavy rains in mountainous regions. The deluge began on Monday, leading to severe flooding that caused bridges to collapse, swept away vehicles, inundated towns with thick mud, and resulted in power outages affecting approximately 140,000 residents.
The extent of the devastation is “unprecedented in the country's history,” as noted by Transport Minister Oscar Puente during a press briefing. He emphasized that the situation is “not even close” to the calamity Valencia faced in 1975, when at least 81 lives were lost. Puente underscored that transport infrastructure has significantly increased in density since the 1950s, rendering “the network practically destroyed.”
Among the hardest-hit areas is the municipality of Paiporta, located on the southwest outskirts of Valencia, where over 60 fatalities have been confirmed due to near-total flooding. Media outlets showcased satellite imagery highlighting the extent of the damage.
A weather station in Turis reported an astonishing 179.2 liters per square meter of rain in just one hour on Wednesday, according to the national meteorological agency. This record surpasses the previous mark set in 2018 and is roughly equivalent to the region’s typical annual rainfall.
Concerns about potential looting in the affected regions have also been voiced by the interior minister. In response to the disaster, the Spanish Armed Forces announced the deployment of an additional 1,000 troops.
Simultaneously, up to 7,000 civilians are anticipated to join the disaster relief efforts, as reported by El Pais, citing Miguel Salvador, head of a Valencian volunteer organization. He mentioned that over 100,000 people have expressed their willingness to assist.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
