Crews in Spain are frantically searching for bodies in stranded cars and buildings, as the country reels from flash floods that have claimed at least 155 lives. The disaster, Spain’s worst this century, has left a trail of destruction and has prompted fears that more horrors will be uncovered as the waters recede. The widespread devastation is reminiscent of the aftermath of a hurricane or tsunami, with cars piled on top of each other like fallen dominoes, uprooted trees, and downed power lines, all mired in mud that covers streets in dozens of communities.
The floods, which were triggered by heavy rainfall, have caused untold suffering and have also led to the loss of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The region of Valencia, which is the worst affected, has seen at least 92 people die, with many more reported missing. The floods have also left thousands of people without access to basic necessities such as water, electricity, and shelter.
The Spanish government is working to respond to the disaster, with more than 1,000 soldiers from emergency rescue units joining regional and local emergency workers to search for bodies and survivors. The soldiers have recovered 22 bodies and rescued 110 people by Wednesday night. The government has also declared three official days of mourning and has urged people to remain indoors and heed official recommendations to help save lives.
Floods of Devastation Sweep Through Spanish Regions (Image via Getty)
The cause of the floods is still unclear, although scientists have linked the event to climate change, which is also responsible for increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean Sea. The region is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this event is the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory.
As the search for bodies and survivors continues, the region remains partly isolated, with several roads cut off and train lines interrupted. The high-speed train service to Madrid, which was disrupted by the floods, is expected to be out of action for two to three weeks. With the floods showing no signs of abating, the government has urged people to stay indoors and adhere to official recommendations to help save lives.
