“The situation is so dramatic that the staff cannot cope. When we see that we are the first to arrive on the scene, everyone throws themselves at us”described, Friday, November 1, on franceinfo Thierry Velu, the president of the French Disaster Relief Group (GSCF) which sent four tons of equipment and five French firefighters to the Valencia region, in Spain.
Floods in the south-east of Spain have caused the death of at least 205 people according to a provisional report, and “dozens and dozens” people remain missing, according to authorities. Five French firefighters from the French disaster relief group “took the initiative as an NGO” to go to Alfafar, in the Valencian Community, to help the victims.
“We were the first responders to arrive on the scene, people had not seen rescuers since these floods,” explained Thierry Velu. “The damage is significant, the scenes are apocalyptic and we think we will help again in the coming days,” he indicated.
The French firefighters brought with them four tonnes of equipment, including “generators” who are going “to be truly a boon for people”but also “shovels, chainsaws, boots, gloves and ropes”. The president of the GSCF also specifies that there is “a big water problem”but that drinking water should be “recovered in a week”.
“Our presence reassures the population,” specified Thierry Velu, who warned about the effect “counterproductive” of a surplus of rescuers, while searches to find survivors are still underway. “If you have too many rescuers flocking to areas that are difficult to access, it can be difficult for authorities to direct rescue efforts.”
“Spain is doing its best and getting there without problems”he assured. Thierry Velu is also calling for donations. “A mission like currently costs more than 30,000 to 40,000 euros. We will deploy teams again in the coming days. Donations are welcome to help purchase equipment,” he indicated.
