Flash floods ravage eastern Spain after heavy rainValencia region on red alert, residents urged to stay homeDeath toll worst from floods in Europe since 2021Climate change linked to more frequent extreme weatherDepartment of Foreign Affairs ‘stands ready to provide consular assistance’
At least four children are believed to be among the dead.
Rescuers using dinghies worked in the dark to scour the floodwaters, rescuing several people, television pictures from the town of Utiel showed, and emergency services were still working to reach the worst-hit areas.
Cars are trapped by flooding in Valencia, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
“For those who at this moment are still looking for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address.
“To the villages and cities destroyed by this tragedy, I say the same: Together, we will rebuild your streets, your squares, your bridges.”
Carlos Mazon, the regional leader of Valencia, told a press conference some people remained isolated in inaccessible locations.
“If (emergency services) have not arrived, it’s not due to a lack of means or predisposition, but a problem of access,” Mazon said, adding that reaching certain areas was “absolutely impossible”.
A man walks on a flooded motorway in Valencia, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is monitoring the situation alongside the Irish Embassy in Madrid and “stands ready to provide consular assistance”.
“Irish citizens are advised to follow the advice of local authorities. Any Irish citizens who require consular assistance are advised to contact the Irish Embassy in Madrid on +34 914364093,” it said.
A woman carries out folding chairs caked in mud after torrential rains caused flooding in La Alcudia, Valencia region, Spain, October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Dozens of videos shared on social media overnight appeared to show people trapped by the floodwaters, with some climbing into trees to avoid being swept away.
Firefighters could be seen freeing drivers whose cars were stranded in flooded streets in the town of Alzira, online videos showed.
Emergency services in the region urged citizens to avoid all road travel and to follow further updates from official sources, and the a military unit specialised in rescue operations was deployed in some places to help local emergency workers.
People inspect a damaged car on a mud-covered street after torrential rains caused flooding in La Alcudia, Valencia region, Spain, October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez
Spain’s state weather agency AEMET on Tuesday declared a red alert in Valencia, a major citrus-growing region, with some areas such as Turis and Utiel recording 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall. It has since lowered the alert to yellow as the rain had largely stopped.
Trains to the cities of Madrid and Barcelona were cancelled due to the flooding, and schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas.
Footage shared on social media showed firefighters rescuing trapped drivers amid heavy rain in the town of Alzira and cars stranded in flooded streets.
Cars are trapped by flooding in Valencia, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Lower house Speaker Francine Armengol said Wednesday’s parliamentary session would be called off because of the disaster.
The UME military unit specialised in rescue operations was deployed in some areas to help local emergency workers.
The death toll appeared to be the worst in Europe from flooding since 2021 when almost 200 people died, mainly in Germany.
People, some with their belongings, walk through flooded streets in Valencia, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Scientists say extreme weather events in the region are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Meteorologists think the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
It is the worst flood-related catastrophe in Spain since 1996, when 87 people died and 180 were injured in a flash flood near Biesca in the Pyrenees.
Source link : https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/valencia-floods-spain-flash-floods-kill-at-least-62-people-including-children/a215000704.html
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Publish date : 2024-10-30 11:30:00
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