Spanish authorities have reported that the death toll from the historic flooding in the country has risen to 205, with the possibility of further increases.
The rescue coordination agency in the eastern region of Valencia confirmed today that at least 202 people have died in flash floods in the area, an increase of 47 from October 31. With three additional fatalities recorded in the neighboring regions of Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, the total number of flood-related deaths across Spain has reached 205, making it the worst disaster in Europe in over five decades.
The last time Europe experienced a higher casualty toll was in 1970, when severe flooding in Romania claimed 209 lives. Three years prior, floods in Portugal had killed nearly 500 people. The Spanish death toll is expected to rise, as dozens remain missing, according to Angel Victor Torres, the minister for interregional cooperation. Around 500 soldiers have been deployed to search for the missing and assist survivors. Approximately 70,000 households are still without electricity, and firefighters are siphoning fuel from abandoned vehicles to run generators for local residents.
“We're scavenging from car to car looking for fuel,” said a firefighter from Andalusia, holding a plastic tube and an empty container for collecting gasoline.
The difficult conditions have caused security issues in certain areas. In the town of Aldaia, Valencia, some people have been seen stealing goods from unattended supermarkets.
“Until things get back to normal and stores reopen, it’s going to remain a dire situation here,” said local resident Fernando Lozano.
Police have announced the arrest of 50 individuals for various offenses, including stealing from cars and looting jewelry shops. Minister Torres has pledged a strict response to looting incidents. Hundreds of volunteers left the city of Valencia today, equipped with buckets, shovels, and wheelbarrows filled with food and diapers to aid flood victims in the submerged outskirts.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised “the boundless solidarity and dedication of Spanish society,” promising ongoing support for affected residents “as long as it is needed.”
Despite this, the Valencia regional government has advised against travel to the hardest-hit areas, noting that rescue teams have not yet been able to reach these locations and warning of potential road collapses.
The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued the highest alert for heavy rain in parts of Andalusia and maintained warnings for Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. On October 29, the equivalent of a year’s worth of rainfall poured over eastern Spain, flooding roads, causing rivers to overflow, and inflicting immense human and infrastructural losses.
Reports suggest that delayed warnings from officials contributed to the high casualty rate. Scientists have also indicated that the human-driven climate crisis is intensifying the severity, duration, and frequency of extreme weather events.
(According to AFP, Reuters)
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