31.10.2024 13:40
In the Valencia region of Spain, a major flood disaster has claimed the lives of 95 people. A bridge in the town of Paiporta collapsed in just three seconds under the raging waters. Hundreds of people were trapped in buildings and cars. While rescue teams searched for bodies under the mud, officials expressed concern about the rising death toll. It has been reported that there are still bodies trapped in vehicles in the area. The meteorological agency issued a risk map to warn citizens.
Terrible images emerged from the major flood disaster in the Valencia region of Spain. In the town of Paiporta, a bridge collapsed and was submerged in just three seconds against the powerful floodwaters. These moments were captured on camera amid the screams of people in the vicinity.
So far, 95 people have lost their lives in the flood disaster. The death toll in the town of Paiporta alone has reached 40. It has been reported that among the deceased is a baby. While rescue teams are still searching for bodies under the mud, authorities are concerned about the rising death toll.
Hundreds of people were trapped in buildings and cars. Some citizens waited to be rescued by climbing trees or getting onto rooftops, while helicopters transported people to safety. The Minister of Transport announced that there are still bodies trapped in vehicles in and around Valencia.
The situation in the town of Paiporta, with a population of 20,000, is quite dire. Five elderly people lost their lives due to a nursing home being flooded, and one person is still missing. Mayor Maribel Albalat stated, "Many people went to save their cars and never returned. The single-story houses in our town were filled with water, and people could not escape. This is a complete disaster, and we are worried about the rising number of victims."
The rains that began on Tuesday afternoon affected a wide area from Malaga in the south to Valencia in the east. The town of Chiva, near Valencia, experienced rainfall that exceeded the annual amount in just eight hours. This disaster has been recorded as the largest flood disaster to hit Spain since the flood in 1996 that killed 87 people.
The Spanish Meteorological Agency AEMET published a map showing the regions where the rainfall was severe and warned citizens.