At least 51 killed in flash floods in eastern Spain

Torrential rains triggered flash floods in the Valencia region on Tuesday.

Published on: Oct 30, 2024, 15:34:28 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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At least 51 people have lost their lives in eastern Spain's Valencia region following flash floods there on Tuesday, authorities said.

A picture taken on October 30, 2024 shows the Turia river following floods in Valencia, eastern Spain. Floods triggered by torrential rains in Spain's eastern Valencia region has left 51 people dead, rescue services said on October 30. (Photo by Jose Jordan / AFP)

Addressing a press conference, Carlos Mazon, the regional President, said some people remained isolated in inaccessible locations.

Also Read: 10 dead in Meghalaya flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall

“If the emergency services have not arrived, it's not due to a lack of means, but a problem of access. Reaching some areas is ‘absolutely impossible’,” Mazon stated.

Ricardo Gabaldon, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, recalled 'the worst day of my life.’

“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three meters,” Gabaldon added.

What led to the flash floods?

Torrential rains led to flash floods that swept away cars, disrupted rail lines and highways, and left roads and towns under water. In videos circulating on social media, people could be seen climbing trees to avoid being swept away.

Also Read: 3 medical students swept away in flash floods in Andhra Pradesh

This is also being described as the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation in recent years.

What is the current situation?

The rain subsided on Wednesday evening in Valencia. However, Spain's national weather agency AEMET has declared a red alert for the country's major citrus-growing region; schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas. Additionally, train services to capital Madrid and Barcelona, the largest and second-largest cities, respectively, were cancelled.

Also Read: 11 killed, 8 missing in flash floods and landslides amid heavy rain in Nepal

More than 1000 soldiers from Spain's emergency response units were deployed for relief and rescue operations. The national government has set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts.

(With agency inputs)

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