clean-up continues in the Valencia region, where the human toll is increasing

Volunteers and law enforcement are continuing operations to clean up the mud that covered the streets and houses in the Valencia region, after the deadly floods that hit the region at the end of October.

The mud is still everywhere: more than a week after the floods which affected Spain, mainly the province of Valencia, volunteers and law enforcement continue cleaning and clearance operations, as shown in our video at the top of article.

The torrential rains which fell on the south-east of the country have left at least 219 dead, while 93 people remain missing, according to a report issued by the authorities on Wednesday November 6.

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In terms of material damage, the cost of these deadly floods promises to be astronomical. Buildings pulverized by the raging floods, thousands of cars overturned on the road, bridges and railway tracks to be rebuilt… Not to mention the numerous businesses brought down by the bad weather, particularly in the agricultural sector.

If the government of Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday an emergency plan of 10.6 billion euros, providing both direct aid for affected residents and businesses as well as support for work undertaken by municipalities, on the ground, it was primarily volunteers who took matters into their own hands, in a context of criticism of the slowness of the relief provided by public services.

Also, this video where volunteers, boots on their feet and brooms in their hands, rhythmically clean a damaged street in the town of Massanassa, went viral as soon as it was published on X on Wednesday:

A terrible consequence of these “floods of the century”, they have opened a time trial to bury the victims with dignity: more than 80 bodies have already been handed over to the families, according to the judicial authorities, but many cemeteries are still covered in mud and debris, and unable to properly accommodate the deceased.

For example, the water managed to remove the large 700 kg iron gates marking the entrance to the Catarroja municipal cemetery, dating from 1889, from their hinges. A challenge for the employees, who must restore the site.

Since October 29, seven residents have died in the town, three from natural causes and four from flooding. But none could be buried.

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It is certainly possible to carry out cremations or burials in the city of Valencia, spared from the floods. But in Spain, people generally want to bury their loved ones in vaults or in family cremation niches.

“If there is no other choice than to bury them, it will have to be done where possible”summarizes a 69-year-old man who came to help clean the Catarroja cemetery. One of its countless volunteers illustrating the fraternity at work within the population.