Spain flooding latest: At least 51 dead and 1,000 soldiers deployed after devastating flash floods in Valencia
At least 51 people have died in devastating flash flooding in southern and eastern Spain, the country’s authorities said on Wednesday morning.
Torrential rain caused flooding across a large area of the country, including the cities of Valencia and Malaga, on Tuesday.
Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from their homes and cars as mud-coloured water quickly filled streets in villages, towns and cities.
More than 1,000 soldiers were deployed to the worst-hit areas to help search for those unaccounted for.
As Spain’s central government set up a crisis committee to help co-ordinate rescue efforts, authorities confirmed on Wednesday morning that 51 people had been confirmed dead so far.
Valencian regional president Carlos Mazonurged people to stay at home so as not to complicate rescue efforts, with travel by road already difficult due to fallen trees and wrecked vehicles.
Addressing those trapped by the floods, he said: “If (emergency services) have not arrived, it’s not due to a lack of means or predisposition, but a problem of access.”
