Spain is in mourning following catastrophic floods that have claimed at least 158 lives, marking the worst flooding disaster in decades.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with over 1,200 workers, supported by drones, deployed to help find survivors as heavy rains continue to threaten parts of the country.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited affected areas, emphasizing the need to prioritize saving lives.
In some of the hardest-hit towns, residents are engaged in the grim task of recovering bodies from the mud and destruction left by the floods.
The majority of fatalities have been reported in Valencia, particularly in the town of Paiporta, where a river overflowed, resulting in significant loss of life.
Witnesses describe the floods as devastating, with many trapped by rising waters that transformed roads into rivers.
As the situation evolves, officials have yet to determine how many individuals are still missing, but the toll could rise significantly.
Over 90 deaths were reported on the day following the floods, with the regions of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Malaga severely impacted.
The Spanish meteorological agency reported that some areas received an entire year’s worth of rainfall in just eight hours.
As further rain warnings have been issued, King Felipe VI cautioned that the emergency is not over, urging citizens to seek safety where necessary.
In response to the tragedy, Spain has begun an official three-day national mourning period, with flags at half-mast and moments of silence observed across the nation.
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Public frustration is growing regarding the late flood warnings issued by disaster management services, prompting questions about the effectiveness of emergency alerts.
Experts attribute the extreme weather to climate change, which has intensified rainfall patterns.
Researchers indicated that natural weather phenomena, compounded by rising global temperatures, have made such devastating floods more likely.
This disaster marks the highest death toll from floods in Spain since 1973.
