Devastating flash floods struck eastern Spain, causing one of the greatest natural disasters to hit the region in recent memory, leaving at least 52 people dead and numerous others missing, according to local authorities.
Some other sources claim casualties have exceeded 60.
An intense downpour on Monday and Tuesday caused the floods, which flooded villages, blocked highways, and affected public transportation. In less than twenty-four hours, more than a month’s worth of rain poured in certain parts of southern and eastern Spain.
Officials have confirmed nearly all of the deaths thus far in Valencia’s eastern district. At least six other persons were reported missing in the municipality of Mira, a tiny town in the nearby province of Castile-La Mancha, where another woman passed away.
The flood waters swept through homes, sent cars floating down submerged streets, and disrupted travel across the eastern part of Spain. Regional trains in Valencia were halted, and several schools were closed.
Tal que una peli apocalíptica. #Valencia 🤍🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/X1Voe4D4fR
— Lola Sánchez Caldentey (@LolaPodemos) October 30, 2024
More than 1,000 soldiers from an emergency response team have been deployed, and officials said that many more residents were waiting for help. The authorities in Valencia said they had created a phone line to report missing people and urged residents not to travel along the still-submerged roads in the area.
Though storms are typical around this time of the year in Spain, local residents were shocked at the amount of rain — about 200 liters of water per square meter, according to Spain’s meteorological agency.
Forecasters said that the storm is still moving toward the north and northwest of Spain, with rain expected to continue until at least Thursday.
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