The toll from the violent floods in the south-east of Spain continues to tragically rise. To show the support of the whole country for residents distraught by the disaster, King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are expected there this Sunday.
On Saturday, Pedro Sanchez also announced the sending of 5,000 additional soldiers to help the victims and participate in the search for the missing, bringing their total strength to 7,500, the “largest deployment of armed forces ever carried out in Spain in time of peace,” according to him. To these soldiers will be added 5,000 police officers and civil guards responsible for supporting their 5,000 colleagues already on the ground, reinforcements impatiently awaited in certain localities facing a chaotic situation.
A year of precipitation in a few hours
According to the latest report from the emergency services released on Saturday evening, 213 people died due to the torrential rains which fell during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. According to the Spanish meteorological agency (Aemet), in certain localities the equivalent of “a year’s precipitation” fell in a few hours. With 210 deaths, the Valencia region was hit hardest. Two people also died in the neighboring region of Castile-La Mancha and one in Andalusia.
This deluge is linked to a “cold drop” phenomenon, an isolated depression at altitude quite common in autumn on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, probably worsened by global warming, according to scientists.
This is “the greatest natural disaster in the recent history of our country,” said Pedro Sanchez, who accompanied King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the affected regions on Sunday. And unfortunately, authorities expect the toll to rise as car wrecks piled up in tunnels and underground parking lots in the worst-hit areas are now methodically examined.
Enable the delivery of aid as quickly as possible
If the chances of finding survivors are diminishing, the priority of soldiers and police remains according to the executive the search for the missing, with the restoration of roads and infrastructure to allow the delivery of aid and the restoration of essential services. According to the authorities, more than 2,000 damaged cars and trucks have already been removed. Electricity has also been restored to 94% of residents who had been deprived of it, and telecommunications are gradually being restored.
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