Hopes of finding survivors were slim more than three days after torrents of muddy water submerged cities and destroyed infrastructure in the European country’s worst disaster in decades.
Almost all the deaths were recorded in the Valencia region, where thousands of security and emergency workers were frantically clearing debris and mud in search of bodies.
Sánchez said in a televised speech that the disaster was the second deadliest flood in Europe this century and announced a huge increase in security forces dedicated to relief efforts.
The government accepted the Valencia region leader’s request for 5,000 more soldiers and informed him of an additional deployment of 5,000 police officers and civil guards, Sánchez said.
Spain is carrying out the largest deployment of army and security force personnel in peacetime, he added.
More deaths are expected
Restoring order and distributing aid to destroyed towns and villages - some of which are cut off from food, water and electricity for days – is a priority.
Authorities have been criticized for the adequacy of warning systems before the floods, and some affected residents have complained that the response to the disaster is too slow.
“I am aware that the response is not enough, there are problems and serious shortcomings… cities buried in mud, desperate people looking for their relatives… we must improve,” Sánchez said.
In the ground-zero towns of Alfafar and Sedavi, AFP reporters saw no soldiers as residents shoveled mud from their homes and firefighters pumped water from garages and tunnels.
Authorities in the Valencia region restricted access to roads for two days to allow emergency services to more effectively carry out search, rescue and logistics operations.
Announcement
Officials said dozens of people remain missing. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told radio station Cadena Ser on Friday that it was “reasonable” to believe that further casualties could occur.
But with telephone and transport networks severely damaged, establishing an accurate figure is difficult.
Sánchez said electricity had been restored to 94% of homes affected by power outages and that about half of downed phone lines had been repaired.
Some highways have reopened, but local and regional roads resemble “Swiss cheese”, meaning some places will likely remain inaccessible by land for weeks, Transport Minister Oscar Puente told El País newspaper.
Announcement
‘Overwhelmed’ by solidarity
Thousands of ordinary citizens pushing shopping carts and carrying cleaning equipment took to the streets on Friday to help the recovery.
Susana Camarero, vice president of the Valencia region, said some municipalities were “overwhelmed” by the solidarity and food they received.
The movement continued on Saturday as around 1,000 people set out from the Mediterranean coastal city of Valencia for nearby flood-ravaged towns, an AFP reporter saw.
Authorities urged them to stay at home to avoid congestion on the roads which would hamper the work of emergency services.
The storm that triggered the flooding on Tuesday formed as cold air moved over the warm waters of the Mediterranean and is common this time of year.
But scientists warn that climate change driven by human activities is increasing the ferocity, duration and frequency of such extreme weather events.
Interview with Dr. Elena Torres, Disaster Management Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Torres, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent catastrophic flooding in Valencia, Spain. This disaster has deeply affected thousands and raised numerous questions about preparedness and response. To begin, can you give us an overview of the scale of this disaster in the context of Europe’s recent history?
Dr. Elena Torres: Thank you for having me. What we witnessed in Valencia is indeed unparalleled, making it the second deadliest flood in Europe this century. The loss of life is tragic, and the scale of destruction has left communities in a state of despair. The infrastructure damage, combined with the challenges faced in relief efforts, underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness across the continent.
Time.news Editor: It’s alarming to hear about the extent of the damage. Reports indicate that a significant increase in military and security forces has been deployed to assist with the situation. How do you assess the effectiveness of this response?
Dr. Elena Torres: The deployment of 10,000 military and police personnel is an unprecedented move for Spain during peacetime. While it shows the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis, the effectiveness of such a response largely depends on the coordination between various agencies and the speed of their actions on the ground. Establishing order is vital, but we must also ensure that aid reaches those who need it most, especially in isolated areas.
Time.news Editor: You touched upon the coordination between agencies. There’s been criticism regarding the adequacy of warning systems prior to the floods. What improvements can we make to these systems to prevent similar disasters in the future?
Dr. Elena Torres: Effective early warning systems are crucial for disaster management. They should leverage technology, like mobile alerts and real-time weather monitoring, to ensure timely communication with residents. Additionally, community preparedness programs can empower citizens to respond appropriately when warnings are issued. Governments must invest in these systems to minimize risks and improve response times.
Time.news Editor: The situation on the ground appears to be dire, with reports of residents struggling to manage the aftermath themselves. What insights can you provide on the importance of community involvement in disaster response?
Dr. Elena Torres: Community involvement is essential during disasters. Local knowledge can be invaluable for search and rescue operations, and communities often mobilize faster than formal agencies. Training residents in emergency preparedness and creating local response teams can bridge the gap between immediate needs and government action. However, this requires a well-structured support system from the government to ensure that these efforts are effective and organized.
Time.news Editor: The Interior Minister mentioned that further casualties could occur, which adds to the distress of the situation. In your opinion, what are the most critical next steps for authorities to take in light of these expectations?
Dr. Elena Torres: The immediate priority must be to restore access to food, water, and medical care for affected towns, particularly those cut off. Continued search and rescue operations are vital, as is consistent communication with residents about what to expect next. Furthermore, conducting thorough assessments of the disaster’s impact will be essential for both immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding strategies.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Torres, for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that while the situation is incredibly tragic, there are lessons to be learned that can help prevent future disasters of this magnitude.
Dr. Elena Torres: Thank you for having me. My thoughts are with all those impacted by this disaster, and I hope we can learn and improve our systems so that we can better protect communities in the future.