The death toll from the devastating floods in Spain has risen to 223. Searches for missing people are still ongoing in some regions. Helicopters, drones and specially trained dogs take part in operations on beaches, in estuaries and in the area of Lake Albufera.
The south-eastern regions of Spain are still struggling with the effects of the biggest flood wave in decades. At the end of October, as a result of extreme rainfall, many cities and towns in Valencia, Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia were under water.
On Friday, authorities confirmed four more victims in Valencia. Only in this autonomous community, the most affected by the disaster, 215 people died, compared to 223 in the whole of Spain.
Nearly 100 people are wanted, and several dozen bodies have not yet been identified.
Thousands of people involved, specialized equipment
Helicopters, drones and specially trained dogs are involved in search operations on beaches, estuaries and in the area of Lake Albufera. As reported by the AP agency, a research vessel used to study marine ecosystems will also be used. Its task will be to patrol the seabed in search of cars that have been swept away by water and mud into the Mediterranean Sea.
“It's like looking for a needle in a huge haystack,” wrote the Spanish daily El Mundo.
Almost 2.5 thousand people take part in the actions in Valencia. firefighters, 9.7 thousand policemen and gendarmes and 8 thousand military personnel. Plus thousands of volunteers.
Search for missing people in ValenciaPAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
Protest in Valencia
The Catalan daily La Vanguardia writes of “chaos” in the devastated areas, which “creates even greater distrust among an exhausted and outraged population.” On Saturday, dozens of social organizations and trade unions are organizing a protest against the head of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazon, calling for his resignation. The People's Party politician is considered one of the main culprits for such a large number of victims. Although the weather situation has improved in recent days, a weather alert is still in effect in some municipalities.
Flood in Cadaques
On the night from Thursday to Friday, heavy rainfall led to flash flood in Cadaques in the province of Girona in Catalonia. The rushing water carried away over 30 parked cars. There is no information about any injured people. On Friday, state meteorological agency AEMET reported that this year saw the heaviest October rainfall on record, with an average of 147 liters per square meter in mainland Spain.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING