Spain’s Worst Flood in Recent History: At Least 211 Bodies Recovered, 30,000 Assisted
OVIEDO, Spain, Nov 2 (Bernama-Anadolu) – At least 211 bodies have been recovered so far in what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Saturday "the biggest natural disaster in Spain’s recent history."
Devastating Floods
An intense storm system triggered devastating floods on Tuesday, hitting the province of Valencia the hardest. The flooding has left many areas isolated, with homes and garages still blocked and dozens of people still missing.
Government Response
Sanchez acknowledged that the response is not enough, saying, "I know there are severe problems: basic services collapsed, municipalities covered in mud, people desperately seeking their loved ones, … we need to do better." He announced that an additional 5,000 military personnel would be deployed by Sunday, the largest peacetime military deployment in the nation’s history.
The government is also deploying a large ship with housing units and medical facilities to the port of Valencia. Mobile morgues, humanitarian aid convoys, and personnel to restore basic services such as roads, electricity, and water have already been sent.
Rescue Efforts
Around 10,000 national police officers will also be stationed in the area by Sunday. According to Sanchez, state forces have rescued 4,800 people and assisted more than 30,000 in their homes. However, he acknowledged that the magnitude of the catastrophe renders these numbers insufficient, saying, "Help is taking a long time to reach where it is needed."
Volunteer Efforts
Meanwhile, thousands of volunteers have poured into the affected areas in recent days, bringing food, water, and shovels to help clear the mud. On Friday, the regional president of Valencia, Carlos Mazon, even asked volunteers to go home due to their sheer numbers. On Saturday, the regional government banned most travel around the affected region by car and set up a center to organize the thousands of volunteers.
Anger and Frustration
For many of those affected, the shock of the floods has given way to anger. The main criticisms focus on why the regional government waited until the flooding was already severe to issue an emergency alert to phones and why it is taking so long for aid to reach areas only kilometres from Valencia, one of Spain’s largest cities. Public frustration is mounting, with many criticising local authorities for delayed emergency alerts and aid to nearby areas.
Infrastructure Damage
Beyond the human tragedy, the infrastructure damage in the area is severe. Rail lines, bridges, tunnels, parts of a major highway, and kilometers of roads have been destroyed. Mountains of cars and debris remain scattered across towns and the landscape. Industrial areas, shopping centers, and homes have also been devastated.
Conclusion
The Spanish government is working tirelessly to respond to the crisis, and Prime Minister Sanchez has promised to analyze the mistakes made and improve the response to future disasters. The country is bracing for the long and difficult road to recovery, but for now, the focus is on providing aid to those affected and rebuilding the devastated communities.
FAQs
Q: How many bodies have been recovered so far?
A: At least 211 bodies have been recovered.
Q: What is the extent of the damage to infrastructure?
A: Rail lines, bridges, tunnels, parts of a major highway, and kilometers of roads have been destroyed. Mountains of cars and debris remain scattered across towns and the landscape. Industrial areas, shopping centers, and homes have also been devastated.
Q: What is the government’s response to the crisis?
A: The government is deploying a large ship with housing units and medical facilities to the port of Valencia, and an additional 5,000 military personnel will be deployed by Sunday, the largest peacetime military deployment in the nation’s history.