51 Killed by Flash Floods in Eastern Spain
Damage caused by flooding in Valencia, Spain, Oct. 30, 2024. X/ @tachiralaprens2
October 30, 2024 Hour: 9:27 am
Flooding caused notable disasters in many towns in the Valencian Community, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalucia.
As of Wednesday morning, at least 51 people have died in flash floods in the Spanish province of Valencia as torrential rains continue to ravage the country’s eastern and southern coasts.
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Since the authorities declared a red alert for torrential rains on Tuesday, several people have been missing in heavy flooding that has swept away vehicles and disrupted rail services.
Six people were reported missing in the town of Letur, close to Valencia in Albacete. In Valencia, two Civil Guard police officers and a truck driver are still being searched for.
The Spanish government set up a crisis committee on Wednesday to assess the damage caused as rescuers continue to search for victims. At the opening of the Spanish Congress on Wednesday morning, Francina Armengol, the parliament speaker, called for a minute’s silence for the victims.
Flooding has left dozens of people trapped by water in various towns in the province of Valencia, where there are power outages. Due to the damage to infrastructure, several towns in the Valencian capital and other municipalities have suspended classes this Wednesday.
Road transport services have been suspended as several train lines have been cut off and several flights have been diverted and others cancelled due to the flooding of Valencia airport.
According to a report by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the rising rivers and flooding have caused notable disasters in many towns in the Valencian Community, but also in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucia. On Tuesday 445.4 litres per square metre fell, the largest figure recorded in this region since Sept. 11, 1966, when 520 lm/2 accumulated in Tavernes de la Val.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: Xinhua – EFE
