The death toll from floods in Spain is now over 200 – DW – November 1, 2024

The death toll in eastern Spanish regions hit by heavy rains and floods has risen to over 200, authorities said on Friday.

At least 202 people have died in Valencia, the region hardest hit by the devastation. This was reported by the regional government's disaster control authority.

Two more people died in the Castile-La Mancha region and another in Andalusia.

Many people remain missing and more rain is forecast.

Volunteers are assisting military and emergency response teams in the cleanup effort

On Tuesday and Wednesday, heavy rains and flash floods destroyed infrastructure, swept away bridges and flooded roads, train tracks and farmland.

Some areas remain cut off from water, food and electricity three days after flooding began, and many roads and railways remain inaccessible.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said another 500 soldiers had been sent to the affected areas. They will reinforce the 1,200 soldiers already deployed for search, rescue and logistics tasks.

Rescue workers set up a makeshift morgue at a convention center, and in Valencia, hundreds of volunteers – armed with shovels, buckets and shopping carts full of food and diapers – began helping distressed neighbors in the city's flooded suburbs.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised “the boundless solidarity and commitment of Spanish society” and promised help “for as long as necessary”.

The disaster was the deadliest of its kind in Spain since 1973, with rain falling in the region in a matter of hours to a year.

Valencia MotoGP canceled

MotoGP organizers announced that the Grand Prix motorcycle season finale will not take place in Valencia due to the effects of the storm.

“Instead of racing in Valencia, MotoGP will race in Valencia instead,” MotoGP said in a statement.

“The Championship will focus our collective efforts in supporting the relief funds already in place to ensure that our positive impact can be linked to the region in the way that it has been for the people and communities to which we have been a part for so long. best serves.”

All football matches scheduled in the Valencia region this weekend, including the clash between Real Madrid and Valencia, have been postponed, the Spanish Football Federation announced on Thursday.

Real said they would provide 1 million euros ($1.08 million) for flood victims.

lo/msh (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)