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Severe flooding in Spain's Valencia region has resulted in at least 95 confirmed deaths, with many individuals still unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue. Approximately 1,000 troops, alongside police and firefighters, are engaged in searching through the debris of affected areas, which have been described as submerged towns.
In one heartwarming moment captured during the disaster, and posted on Instagram by mignonettetakespictures, a lady and her pets—a dog and two cats—were rescued from her flooded house, highlighting the personal toll of this catastrophic event.
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This disaster, which is considered the deadliest flooding event in Spain since 1973, saw up to a year's worth of rainfall occur in just a few hours. The most impacted area appears to be Paiporta, located in the suburbs of Valencia, where around 40 fatalities were reported, including six individuals from a local elderly care facility.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, tens of thousands of homes remain without electricity and access to clean drinking water. The destruction has also left hundreds of vehicles scattered across the streets, swept away by the floodwaters. Authorities expect the death toll to rise further as more bodies are discovered in the aftermath.
In total, two additional fatalities were reported in Castilla-La Mancha, southeast of Madrid, and one British national died in Andalusia. The severity of this flooding event has raised alarms among scientists, who point to the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather patterns as a consequence of climate change.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared three days of national mourning and is scheduled to visit the affected region. He expressed solidarity with the victims' families, stating that the nation shares their grief and will provide ongoing support for recovery efforts. King Felipe VI also conveyed his condolences, expressing devastation over the loss of life. Meanwhile, criticism of the regional government's flood warning system has emerged, with officials defending the timing of alerts that were issued in advance of the disaster.
Source: DW, AFP, AP
