Flood in Spain: Search continues as death toll rises
Spaniards are still grappling with the aftermath of the tragic flood that swept through the southeastern regions at the end of October. The most significant flood in a decade has taken a devastating toll of 223 lives. However, indications suggest this may not be the end as the search for missing persons continues.
In Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia regions, efforts to mitigate the effects of the flash flood that hit the country at the end of October are still underway. In just a few hours, the volume of water increased so much that many Spaniards were trapped in their homes and cars, often swept away by the streets-turned-rivers.
The surprise of Spanish authorities and services at such a sudden event is clearly visible in the state of the cities and the ongoing searches for the missing. What will undoubtedly remain etched in memory is the more than 223 victims, which continues to rise a week after the flood wave passed.
On Friday, Spanish authorities confirmed four more flood victims in Valencia. This is further tragic news from this autonomous community, where the situation was most difficult. The 215 recorded deaths in this region out of the total 223 flood victims confirm this. Simultaneously, as the country's authorities report, more than 100 people are still missing.
Difficult search after the flood in Spain
It's like looking for a needle in a massive haystack — wrote the Spanish daily "El Mundo" in the context of the search for the missing.
The searches are indeed remarkably complicated. In seeking the missing, services must search beaches, river estuaries, and the area of Lake Albufera. Hundreds of people and specially trained dogs are involved in the operations. In the sky, patrols in helicopters can frequently be seen.
According to the AP agency a research vessel will also be deployed, used for studying marine ecosystems. The task of its crew will be to comb the sea floor in search of more victims.
