The death toll from severe floods in Spain reached 158 as rescue efforts continued to find survivors. The eastern Valencia region reported 155 recovered bodies, with three additional deaths in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. An intense Mediterranean storm caused heavy rains and flooding, particularly affecting the Valencia region. The government warned that the death toll could rise further as many people were still missing.
Authorities urged residents to stay at home and heed emergency service calls to prioritize saving lives. King Felipe VI emphasized that the emergency was ongoing, and weather alerts were issued for parts of eastern and southern Spain. The nation observed three days of mourning with flags at half-mast.
Witnesses described the devastating impact of the floods, with people swept away by powerful currents and neighborhoods left in ruins. Emergency services, supported by drones and troops, worked tirelessly to search for survivors and clear debris-filled roads. The disaster severely disrupted transportation and could take weeks to restore normalcy.
The catastrophic event raised concerns about the effectiveness of warning systems and emergency preparedness. Residents criticized the delayed alerts as the flooding caught many off guard. The political aftermath highlighted tensions between regional and central governments regarding disaster response responsibilities in Spain’s decentralized system.