After torrential rain led to flash floods in southeastern Spain, officials have confirmed that bodies have been recovered. Carlos Mazon, the leader of the Valencia region, stated, “Dead bodies have been found, but out of respect for the families, we will not provide further details.”
The severe weather, including hailstorms, has impacted various regions, particularly affecting the small town of Letur in the eastern province of Albacete, where six people are reported missing. Rescue operations are ongoing and will continue throughout the night.
Social media footage depicted the chaos caused by the flooding, with floodwaters toppling bridges and sweeping cars along the streets. Some individuals were seen clinging to trees to avoid being swept away.
Emergency services have been inundated with hundreds of calls for assistance from individuals trapped in flooded areas or seeking information about loved ones. Officials have deployed drones to search for the missing in Letur, with local representative Milagros Tolon emphasizing the priority of locating these individuals.
Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, has issued a red alert for the Valencia region and a secondary alert in parts of Andalusia.
In response to the crisis, Valencia city officials announced that all schools and sporting events would be suspended, and parks will remain closed.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his concern over the reports of missing individuals on social media, urging residents to heed the advice of authorities and avoid unnecessary travel.
Credit: BBC News
