The death toll from Spain’s devastating floods rose to 205 on Friday, with fears mounting for the dozens still missing in the country’s worst flooding disaster in decades. Since Tuesday, torrential rains have destroyed bridges, overturned vehicles, and buried towns in mud across the eastern Valencia region, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia.
Rescue teams, bolstered by 1,200 troops and volunteers, are wading through waterlogged streets and combing through debris with helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs in search of survivors. Additional troops are set to arrive Saturday to assist, with over 4,500 rescues already completed by the Civil Guard.
The unprecedented deluge has cut off communities from food, water, and electricity for days, with supply chains disrupted and widespread damage to roads and railways. Thousands of volunteers have mobilized to aid affected areas, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised Spain’s “limitless solidarity” and pledged continued support.
The Spanish government and regional leaders are grappling with reports of looting and unrest in flooded towns, where residents face shortages. Scientists have cautioned that climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.
