Spain floods latest: Nation mourns as death toll crosses 150 after ‘catastrophic’ Valencia flooding
Death toll continues to rise after worst flash floods in three decades sweeps across Spanish 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.At least 158 people have died with several missing due to the flash floods in Spain amid warnings of more extreme weather to come.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez urged residents to stay at home as he warned devastation is “not finished” and declared Valencia a “disaster zone”.
“Our priority is to find the victims and the missing so we can help end the suffering of their families,” Mr Sanchez said after meeting with officials and emergency services in Valencia.
Spain began the official three-day national mourning on Thursday with flags at half-mast on official buildings. A moment of silence was held for the victims of the floods.
EU officials said the devastation in Spain should serve as a reminder of the self-harming effects of humans' destruction of nature.
Torrential rain – amounting to a year’s worth in just eight hours in some areas – engulfed cities such as Valencia and Malaga, with many finding themselves “trapped like rats” in their homes and cars, surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
Many affected are preparing for more torrential rain, after Spain’s meteorological service issued a series of fresh warnings – including the most severe kind – on Thursday.
More rain expected to hit worst-affected areas
As emergency sevices continue to search for the dozens of people still missing in the devastating flash floods, more rain has been forecast for some of the worst-affected areas.
Spain’s state meteorological service Aemet has issued warnings yellow and orange warnings for much of eastern Spain, with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall within 12 hours in areas north of Valencia.
Valencia itself is also facing a yellow weather warning, with 20mm of rain expected to fall in one hour on Thursday.
The surrounding areas of Castello de la Plana, Vinaros, Morella and Tortosa are all subject to more severe orange weather warnings.
In pics: Aftermath of the flooding in Spain
Death toll expected to rise as still ‘many missing people'
At least 95 people have been confirmed dead since flash floods devestated eastern Spain, with more expected to come.
Emergency services are continuing to search for the dozens of people still missing in the regions affected, with more rain on the way.
Government minister Angel Victor Torres told Spanish broadcaster TVE that the death toll is likely to rise because “there are many missing people”.
Climate crisis ‘worsened all 10 deadliest weather events'
Climate change made the 10 deadliest extreme weather events over the past two decades worse, contributing to the deaths of more than 570,000 people, scientists have said.
Climate scientists said the finding “underscores how dangerous extreme weather events have already become” with just 1.3C of global warming above pre-industrial levels.
It also highlights the urgency of cutting the greenhouse gas emissions driving rising temperatures and more extreme weather, they said, as the world is currently on track for 3C of warming by the end of the century – a level recently described by UN chief Antonio Guterres as “catastrophic”.
More here.
Climate change ‘worsened all 10 deadliest weather events in past two decades’
The deadliest weather events since 2004 caused more than 570,000 deaths and the ‘fingerprints’ of climate change were present, scientists say.
PINNED: What we know so far
As rescue workers continue trying to recover the dozens of people still missing, here is what we know so far:
- At least 158 people have been killed after eastern Spain was hit by flash floods.
- Ministers have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as there are “many missing people”.
- More severe weather warnings have been issued in the region for today.
- A 71-year-old British man is among the dead.
- The rainstorms started on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday which triggered the devastating flooding.
- More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response unit have been deployed to the most devastated areas.
- The main areas affected are the eastern province of Valencia and neighbouring regions.
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