In photos released by Eldense football club, where he previously played, the 28-year-old attacker can be seen, arms folded, in the blue-red home shirt of the club from Elda in the Valencia region. The club will play in the Segunda División A from the 2023-2024 season.
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“Terrible news has reached us after the catastrophic storm Dana,” said a statement from the club. “CD Eldense is mourning the death of former player José Castillejo at the age of 28. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
Academie Valencia
Valencia also responded to the shocking news with a sad statement. “We deeply regret the death of José Castillejo, a victim of the disaster. Castillejo was part of the Valencia CF academy.”
The left winger went through the entire youth academy of Valencia, where he played until he was 19. He ultimately failed to break through, and his career subsequently took him to various clubs, such as Eldense, Recambios Colón, Roda, Torre Levante and Vilamarxant. He left football in 2020.
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The death toll officially stood at 160 on Thursday evening. That number will undoubtedly rise, authorities say. “With every hour that passes, the number is increasing,” a local official said in Spanish media.
Dozens missing
There is still a feverish search for missing persons. Large groups of Guardia Civil officers are mainly searching in the areas of Letur, Albacete, and Castilla-La Mancha. At least 150 rescue workers are doing everything they can to find five missing people in the municipality of Letur. Their lives are now feared.
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Many dozens of people are still missing in the wider area. The authorities are now talking about a Spanish ‘Ground Zero’, referring to the disaster site that emerged after the attack on the Twin Towers in America. A total of 1,200 rescue workers are still working day and night, who will be supplemented by 500 soldiers on Friday.
More than 150 roads remain impassable and scores of vehicles and debris still need to be removed. In the affected areas – since Tuesday evening, when mudslides flooded entire villages after the storm and caused extensive damage – classes at schools have been suspended for a week.
