Rescue operations are intensifying in Spain as emergency teams search for victims of catastrophic floods, raising questions about how a nation renowned for its infrastructure struggled to respond to such an extreme storm. Torrential rains at the start of the week triggered flash floods that have left at least 95 people dead, marking Spain’s deadliest flood disaster since 1973.
To date, the exact number of missing remains unclear. The floods, which turned streets into rivers and swept away vehicles, left more than 1,200 people stranded on highways among about 5,000 abandoned cars. Thousands remain without electricity or phone service. Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced that military rescue teams, equipped with sniffer dogs and mobile morgues, would begin combing through debris in the worst-hit areas.
More rain is forecast in the hardest-hit eastern Valencia region, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to urge residents to stay indoors. “The storm continues,” he warned, emphasizing the need to prioritize life-saving measures. He further reassured the public that the government is doing everything possible to locate those still missing, pledging support by land, sea, and air for as long as necessary.
However, in the middle of all of the reassurances, the families are seeking information about missing loved ones. Leonardo Enrique, speaking to RTVE, described the last message he received from his son, a delivery driver, saying it was raining heavily near the industrial town of Riba-roja. Families across Spain are waiting anxiously as rescue teams race against time to bring answers and, hopefully, reunite them with loved ones. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images