athletes from the North taking refuge on a train during rising waters

Athletes from Maubeuge (North) managed to escape the terrible floods in Valencia (Spain) by taking refuge on a train. They had participated in the city's half-marathon, Sunday October 27, 2024, reports France 3 Hauts-de-France .

In total, around fifteen runners from the north of France took the start. If part of the team managed to reach the hotel before the bad weather, the others had the misfortune of remaining stuck there during the night of October 29 to 30. They were able to take shelter on a train even though the alert to leave the scene had been issued. “We were lucky”confided one of the survivors to our colleagues.

A balance sheet that risks getting heavier

The Northerners then returned to their hotel by bike, to collect their suitcases, their documents and organize their repatriation. Along the way, they were marked by the damage and desolation after the heavy rains.

The current death toll from floods in Spain stands at at least 217. But this number could increase, as some places have still not been searched and residents are still missing.

A military ship arrived in the port of Valencia with food, equipment, trucks and helicopters on board.