The Valencia region was battered by torrential rains on Tuesday, leading to flash floods that have tragically claimed an unknown number of lives, although, citing police, TVE broadcaster reported there have been at least 13 deaths.
The Valencia region’s leader, Carlos Mazón, confirmed the discovery of multiple bodies but declined to provide specific details out of respect for the victims’ families.
The state weather agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for the region, with some areas like Turis and Utiel receiving over 200mm of rainfall.
After months of a worrying drought, the sky unleashed such virulence that torrents of water, stones and mud swept away everything in their path. Especially in the Magro riverbed.
Cars were dragged along in a sea of mud, classes suspended in seventy municipalities, the port of Valencia and Sagunt closed and the A-3 turned into a real hell leaving Dantesque images. Several tornadoes, in addition, sowed chaos in l’Alcúdia, Carlet, Alginet or Benifaió. A fatal combination of extreme events.
Social media was flooded with distressing videos showing people trapped in floodwaters, clinging to trees, and being rescued by firefighters using helicopters. Some footage even captured a rare tornado.
Emergency services were inundated with calls for help, but the severity of the flooding made it difficult to reach all affected areas.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change, particularly the warming Mediterranean Sea.
Schools and other essential services were suspended in the hardest-hit areas, and the military was deployed to assist with rescue efforts and assess agricultural damage.
More to follow
