Valencia floods: Spain's worst disaster in over 50 years
Spanish rescue services continue the desperate search for survivors following the extreme floods that struck the Valencia region on Tuesday, resulting in the death of at least 95 people. A British woman who narrowly escaped death revealed that "a split-second decision saved her".
In just eight hours, the Valencia region received rainfall equivalent to its usual annual total, isolating rural communities, some of which can now only be accessed by helicopter.
Spanish authorities warned that the death toll may rise as it is currently impossible to determine the number of missing persons. This disaster ranks as the worst natural catastrophe in the country in decades.
Residents of Utiel took to the streets on Wednesday to tackle the aftermath of the devastating flash floods that swept through their homes, washing away cars, damaging buildings, and leaving debris scattered across the area.
British woman Karen Loftus from Dorset described how she narrowly escaped death by climbing out through her car window just before it was swept away by the floodwaters.
She and her husband were travelling on the AP-7 motorway to their home in Alicante when they were caught in the heavy rain.
After ten minutes of stopping, "the water had risen up and started to come into the car",- said Loftus in an interview with "Sky News".
The pressure made it impossible to open the doors, so the couple decided to escape through the windows. "Just after we got out of the car, another car floated on top of our car," she added, noting that the water was already up to their chests. They managed to take shelter in a truck but lost everything, including their car and 20 years' worth of souvenirs.
We banged on the door of the lorry. We found a fantastic Moroccan driver. We only just made it through. It was just like a disaster movie. You know when you think 'I could die here'. It was so utterly scary, she added.
Horror in Spain. The Prime Minister speaks
The number of confirmed fatalities has already risen to over 90 and is expected to continue increasing. Entire towns have been inundated, cars washed away, and people trapped in their homes, creating almost apocalyptic scenes. The government has declared three days of mourning, calling the flood the worst natural disaster in Spain in over 50 years.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez assured the victims that the government would not abandon them. "All of Spain weeps with you. Our absolute priority is to help you... We will not abandon you," said Sanchez in a televised speech. He also announced plans for the reconstruction of destroyed streets, squares, and bridges.
According to the "Daily Mail", criticism has been directed at the local authorities for their slow response to the impending disaster. One British expatriate living in Valencia claimed that the impact might have been less severe had residents been warned earlier. "They knew this weather was on the way but didn't tell anyone to stay inside," she said anonymously.
Among the most affected areas is the town of Paiporta, where at least one child died after the river burst its banks and washed away a bridge. Terrifying footage shows the moment the structure collapses under the pressure of the water.
