Spanish authorities said Wednesday that flash floods in the eastern part of the country have killed 95 people, swept away several cars, inundated villages and blocked rail lines and highways.
Emergency services in eastern Valencia province confirmed the death toll at 92 on Wednesday. Two other deaths were reported in the neighboring Castilla-la-Mancha region, while one person was reported dead in southern Andalusia.
Torrential rains that began on Tuesday in eastern and southern parts of Spain continued on Wednesday, worsening flooding. Railway authorities said a train carrying 300 people derailed.
However, there have been no casualties. Spanish President Pedro Sanchez said that many cities were affected by floods. “The whole of Spain can feel the pain of those who are searching for their loved ones,” he said in a televised address. Our priority is to help you. We are using all necessary resources so that we can recover from this tragedy.
Police and rescue services used helicopters to rescue people from homes and cars. 1,100 Spanish army soldiers, along with personnel from Spain’s emergency response teams, were deployed to flood-ravaged areas.
Spain’s central government has set up a crisis committee to help with rescue efforts. According to Spain’s National Meteorological Service, the impact of the storm is expected to continue in the country until Thursday.
