‘Apocalyptic’: Death toll soars as floods devastate Spain
Terrifying flash floods in Spain have left dozens dead, including children, in one of the country’s worst-ever natural disasters. See video, photos.
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The death toll from devastating flooding in Spain has climbed to 95, including four children, rescuers and officials said, making it the country’s deadliest such disaster in decades.
Widespread flooding caused by torrential rainfall has devastated southeastern parts of the country, with footage from Almeria and Valencia showing flood water overwhelming streets and sweeping away vehicles.
The Australian Embassy in Madrid is in contact with local authorities regarding any Australians impacted by the floods, a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.
Videos appeared to show people being trapped by the floodwaters, with some being forced to hang on to trees to avoid being swept away.
Witnesses told of waves of mud cascading down the walls of houses as people were stranded in buildings and crying out for help, The Times reports.
In the town of Paiporta in Valencia, five elderly residents of an aged care home tragically drowned when the flood entered their home while they are having dinner.
The town’s major described the situation as “apocalyptic”.
A 71-year-old British man was also confirmed dead after being found at his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, a town in Malaga.
According to Juanma Moreno, the president of the Andalusia region, the man had suffered from hypothermia before dying of a cardiac arrest in hospital hours after he was rescued from his home.
The timing of flood alerts is now under intense scrutiny, with regional politicians forced to defend their handling of the disaster.
A delay in alerts from authorities is now being blamed for many of those affected being unable to seek refuge in time.
Despite warnings from meteorologists about the severity of the storm since Monday, local time, a huge alert to mobile phones in the province of Valencia was not sent out until Tuesday night, The Times reports.
More than 250,000 people are now without power, running water and phone coverage.
“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address.
“Our priority is to help you. We are putting together all the resources necessary so that we can recover from this tragedy.”
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