Four days after the tragic floods devastated southeastern Spain, new military reinforcements arrived on Saturday to help search for missing towns and restore those destroyed by torrents of mud.
The latest report given by the authorities on Friday evening shows at least 207 victims, including 204 in the region of Valencia, the one most affected by this extreme weather. Two more died in Castile-la-Mancha and a third in Andalusia.
But that number could rise even more, with many missing people still being sought, especially in the car carcasses that have been overturned by the raging waves, which litter the parking lots and the streets.
The president of the Valencia region, Carlos Mazón, confirmed on Friday evening that there was still no official figure for those missing, and residents without news of their relatives increased their calls for help on social networks.
“It would be prudent to give a figure,” confirmed the Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska on the TV channel Antena 3. However, “probably, given the circumstances and the feedback from experts (…) that there will be more deaths”, he said.
To deal with this situation, an additional 500 soldiers are to be deployed to the Valencia region on Saturday, bringing the total to 2,500 soldiers in the area. Thousands of police officers, gendarmes and firefighters are also mobilized.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who chaired a meeting of the crisis committee on Saturday morning from Moncloa Palace, the official residence of the head of government, is to speak at 10:30 am
Solidarity
One of the army’s priorities, in addition to searching for the missing, is to reopen the roads for the delivery of aid, especially food, by clearing vehicles and debris blocking circulation, and the order to restoration in the municipalities concerned.
Since the floods, which occurred during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the authorities noticed acts of looting and theft. The police announced that they had already arrested several dozen people, some of whom were taken into pre-trial detention.
The acts of solidarity continue, especially in Valencia, where thousands of people gathered for the second day in a row on Saturday at dawn to go on foot to neighboring towns, equipped with shovels and brooms, according to a journalist the AFP.
“Yesterday we brought tons of food and water to the most affected municipalities,” Susana Camarero, vice president of the Valencia region, assured journalists, acknowledging that operations were hindered by the state of the infrastructure.
“Many villages were isolated and we called the city councils to find out what they needed, but there were no telephones,” she recalled, and thousands of people are still without communication.
Too many volunteers
“The aid is not enough. Fortunately, Spain knows how to show solidarity,” Alicia Izquierdo told AFP, who arrived on Friday to take two carts full of food with her sister Marta to their brother’s house in Paiporta, a town containing more than 25,000 inhabitants. at least 62 deaths have been recorded.
On Friday, the number of volunteers was so great that the authorities asked residents to go by car to the affected communities to stay at home, so as not to block the roads and prevent helpful quote.
In the suburbs of Valencia, the work of rescuers and soldiers should be done under light skies on Saturday. But the National Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warned that heavy rain would still occur in the province of Castellon, in the north of the Valencia region, which was put on orange alert.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Disaster Management Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss the devastating floods that have recently swept through southeastern Spain, leaving behind a trail of destruction and an increasing number of victims. With us is Dr. Elena Fernández, a disaster management expert with over two decades of experience in crisis response. Dr. Fernández, thank you for being here.
Dr. Elena Fernández (DEF): Thank you for having me. It’s a tragic situation, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.
TNE: The latest reports indicate at least 207 confirmed victims, with many more missing. What are some challenges authorities face when trying to account for those unaccounted for in such a disaster?
DEF: One of the primary challenges is the sheer scale of destruction. Floods can displace people quickly, and many might be in temporary shelters or have evacuated to safety without informing loved ones. Additionally, searching through wreckage, such as overturned cars—like those seen in Valencia—requires meticulous planning and often risks for the rescue teams.
TNE: Speaking of rescue teams, we saw an additional 500 military personnel deployed in Valencia. How critical is military support in situations like this?
DEF: Military support can be crucial in such disasters. They bring not only manpower but also specialized training and equipment that may not be readily available among civilian responders. Their primary roles include search and rescue, debris clearance for access routes, and establishing order in chaotic situations, particularly in urban areas where communication lines may have broken down.
TNE: We’ve also seen reports of looting occurring during this crisis. What impact does this have on disaster response efforts, and how should authorities manage it?
DEF: Looting can severely hinder rescue operations. It diverts police attention from life-saving measures to crime prevention, which is not ideal in a crisis. Authorities must balance the need for security with providing immediate relief to affected populations. Setting up emergency response teams focused on both immediate humanitarian needs while also maintaining security and order is essential.
TNE: The response to these floods is certainly multifaceted. What role does social media play in both crisis management and in the public’s reaction during disasters?
DEF: Social media can be a double-edged sword during disasters. On one hand, it facilitates the rapid dissemination of information, allowing people to share updates, request help, and find loved ones. However, misinformation can also spread quickly, which can create panic or lead to confusion. Authorities need to engage with the public on these platforms to provide accurate updates and guidance while also monitoring for false information.
TNE: Lastly, with the Prime Minister scheduled to address the nation soon, what should be the main priorities for the government moving forward in terms of recovery and prevention?
DEF: Moving forward, the government should focus on immediate relief efforts, including food, shelter, and medical care for affected residents. Beyond that, they must also start planning for long-term recovery, which includes rebuilding infrastructure, improving flood defenses, and revising emergency response protocols based on lessons learned from this event. Lastly, engaging with the community in rebuilding efforts can foster resilience and solidarity.
TNE: Dr. Fernández, thank you for your insights during this difficult time. Your expertise will be invaluable as Spain navigates through this calamity and works to recover and rebuild in the aftermath.
DEF: Thank you for having me, and let’s hope for a swift recovery for the people of Spain.