Devastating flash floods in Spain claim 95 lives, wreak havoc

Flash floods unleashed by torrential rains have brought devastation to southern and eastern Spain, leaving at least 95 people dead and countless others displaced.

The catastrophic event, described as the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation in recent memory, has ravaged villages, disrupted transportation, and ruined homes.

Rescue personnel, aided by over 1,100 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units, scrambled to reach stranded individuals, employing helicopters and rubber boats to navigate the treacherous waters. The government declared three days of mourning starting Thursday.

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Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel, recounted the horrors to AP: “Yesterday was the worst day of my life. We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to 3 meters.” Javier Berenguer, a 63-year-old baker, described his harrowing escape: “I had to get out of a window… The water rose to 2.5 meters inside my business.”

Paiporta, a Valencia town, suffered an extraordinary loss, with over 30 fatalities, including six residents of a senior residence. Mayor Maribel Albalat said, “We don’t know what happened, but in 10 minutes the village was overflowing with water.”

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation saying: “For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain.” Spain’s national weather service characterized the deluge as “extraordinary,” noting that Valencia received more rain in eight hours than in the preceding 20 months.

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