Spain floods latest: 5,000 more soldiers deployed as satellite photos show extent of devastation
Death toll expected to keeping rising as Spain’s worst flood-related disaster in modern history sweeps across region of Valencia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An extra 5,000 soldiers are being deployed to the flooded Valencia region to support the “biggest operation by the Armed Forces in Spain in peacetime”, prime minister Pedro Sanchez said.
Along with 5,000 extra police officers and the 2,500 soldiers already on the ground, the troops will lead search and clean-up efforts as Spain reels from its worst flood-related disaster in modern history.
In a televised statement on Saturday, prime minister Pedro Sanchez said the number of people killed has risen to 211. He said the government would “mobilise all the resources necessary as long as they are needed”, with more bodies believed to be within the devastation.
Before-and-after satellite images have emerged showing the scale of devastation in Valencia. Vast areas of land are seen covered in a brown swamp of muddy water after the torrential rainfall on Tuesday.
Officials said the death toll is likely to keep rising, with most of the deaths so far in Valencia, the eastern region that bore the brunt of the devastation.
Fresh weather alerts are in place for Spain’s east coast and its western border with Portugal. Rains are expected to continue into the weekend.
‘Where is the aid? My town is a cemetery’: Spanish flood victim reveals horror in town where 62 have died
Cars and furniture lay piled up in mud as Spain reels from deadly floods
Spain floods mapped: Where are weather alerts in force as death toll hits 158?
‘Everything looks apocalyptic’: Spain flood victim says her entire home was engulfed in less than 10 minutes
‘Cold drop’ and flood defences: What caused the devastating flash flooding in Spain?
‘Everything looks apocalyptic’: Spain flood victim says her entire home was engulfed in less than 10 minutes
A terrified Valencia flood victim has revealed the scale of the devastation after heavy floodwaters engulfed her home in a matter of minutes.
Alba Paredes Borja is from the Spanish town of Alfafar, one of the areas hardest hit by the deadly storm, where local authorities are calling for urgent help in receiving food, water and medical supplies.
“I’m terrified. Everything looks apocalyptic,” she told The Independent. The floods – known as the “cold drop” or DANA phenomena – have claimed 158 lives, including at least three people in the municipality, leaving the city in ruins and cut off from all communication.
Salma Ouaguira reports:
‘Terrified’ Spain flood victim reveals scale of devastation: ‘It’s apocalyptic’
‘By the time they warned homes were flooding, mine was already underwater’
‘Where is the aid? My town has turned into a cemetery’ - today’s front page
Spanish footballer commemorates victims after scoring goal
CA Osasuna footballer Ante Budimir has paid tribute to those affected in Spain’s most devastating floods in modern history.
He did so during a La Liga match between CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona on Saturday.
The t-shirt translates roughly as “Strong Valencia”.
In pictures: Clean-up continues amid the devastation
NASA satellite imagery shows extent of flooding
Satellite imagery from NASA Earth has shown the extent of flooding in the province of Valencia, eastern Spain.
In a post on X, the space agency wrote: “Torrential rains caused deadly flooding and extensive damage in the province of Valencia, located in eastern Spain. These #Landsat images show the extent of flooding as of October 30, 2024.”
‘Biggest military operation in peacetime’, says PM
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he is unleashing the “biggest operation by the Armed Forces in Spain in peacetime”.
He announced that the government would send 5,000 more army troops and 5,000 more police officers to assist with the search and clean-up operations in a televised statement on Saturday morning.
This is in addition to the 2,500 soldiers already deployed in the area.
“The government is going to mobilize all the resources necessary as long as they are needed,” Mr Sanchez added.
The huge response comes after Europe’s worst flood-related disaster since 1967, when at least 500 people died in Portugal.
Death toll rises to 211
The death toll following the devastating floods in Spain has risen to 211.
Dozens are still accounted for, four days after the torrential rains swept across the eastern Valencia region, prime minister Pedro Sanchez said.
Watch: Woman and baby airlifted to safety from Spain’s flash floods by metal cage attached to helicopter
Watch the moment an elderly woman and baby are airlifted to safety from catastrophic flash floods in Valencia, Spain.
Emergency services have shared footage of the woman and one-year-old baby being rescued after their home was flooded by water on Thursday (31 October).
It captures the moment a military emergency unit rescues the woman using a metal cage attached to a helicopter.
The official number of people killed by the catastrophic floods has risen dramatically to 158.
Spain’s prime minister has urged residents to stay at home as he warned devastation is “not finished” and declared Valencia a “disaster zone”.
King Charles ‘heartbroken’ about the ‘destruction and devastation’ following Spain floods
King Charles has offered his “sincere and heartfelt condolences” to the people of Spain following the devastating floods which have so far killed more than 200 people.
Addressed to King Felipe VI of Spain, the King wrote: “My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the destruction and devastation following the catastrophic flooding in Southern and Eastern Spain.
“So many in the United Kingdom have strong, personal ties to Spain, and our nations are bound by so much that we have in common.
“We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of Spain for the tragic loss of so many lives. Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.”
Climate change ‘turbocharging’ weather such as that seen in Spain, top meteorologists say
Climate change is “turbocharging” the type of extreme weather we saw in Spain, according to the World Meterological Organisation (WMO).
Clare Nullis, the WMO’s media officer, explained clearly the direct link between climate change and extreme rain.
“Flooding we are seeing in Spain is just one of many, many extreme weather and water-related disasters that have been taking place around the world this year,” she said.
"Climate change is turbocharging extreme weather, and we can expect to see more of the devastation and the despair that we have been seeing this week.
“As a result of rising temperatures, the hydrological cycle has accelerated. It’s also become more erratic, more unpredictable. We are facing growing problems of either too much or too little water.
“A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, this is the law of physics. Every degree of warming saturated air contains 7 per cent more water vapour.
“As our climate warms, as the air warms, it becomes more moist, so every additional fraction of warming increases the atmospheric moisture content.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments