The death toll from devastating flash floods in eastern Spain rose to 158 on Thursday, with rescue teams still searching for those missing in what could be Europe’s deadliest storm-related disaster in over 50 years.
“There are 158 confirmed fatalities, plus dozens still unaccounted for,” said Angel Victor Torres, Spain’s minister for regional cooperation.
A year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours on Tuesday in the Valencia region, marking Spain's worst flood-related disaster in recent history. Experts note that human-driven climate change is increasingly contributing to such extreme weather.
Opposition politicians criticized the Madrid government for a slow response, while the Interior Ministry stated that regional authorities are responsible for civil protection.
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11:19
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Valencia on Saturday, demanding regional president Carlos Mazon’s resignation over floods that have killed more than 220 people. The protests highlight widespread anger over ongoing school closures and the government’s handling of the crisis.
16:00
A fire broke out early Friday at the Jardines de Villafranca care home in Villafranca de Ebro, killing at least 10 elderly residents. The blaze was contained to one room, but smoke inhalation caused the fatalities. Authorities are investigating the cause.
08:42
Thousands gathered in Valencia on Saturday in a protest against the government's reaction to the deadly floods that killed more than 220 people. Around 80 people are still missing after heavy rainfall burst the banks of rivers, devastating the Valencia province on 29 October.
14:49
Spain is deploying 7,500 troops to its eastern region hit by deadly floods, where at least 217 people have died
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