Spain faced a somber day as the death toll from the week’s devastating floods climbed past 200, marking the country’s deadliest natural disaster in recent history. Heavy rains continued Friday, battering already-stricken regions and challenging strained rescue operations.
The Valencia region suffered the worst, with 202 confirmed deaths, as announced by regional president Carlos Mazón. With an additional three fatalities reported in neighboring areas, the total has reached 205, and officials fear the count could rise as rescue teams work through mud-soaked towns and debris-filled streets.
Late Thursday and early Friday, intense rains spread to other southern regions. In Andalusia, the province of Huelva was hit hardest as Halloween celebrations turned dangerous under relentless rain. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and avoid the traditional All Saints’ Day cemetery visits, warning of continued flood risk.
“The southwest will face the most complications,” said Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for Spain’s national meteorological agency, noting that high alert warnings could extend through Saturday.
While emergency teams continue searches in Valencia and neighboring Castellón, reports reveal dozens are still missing. The missing include notable business figures, elderly individuals, and children. In Catarroja, a Valencia municipality, 20-year-old Ainhoa Rojas Mansilla described the tense environment as military teams searched submerged vehicles, saying, “We’re gripped with anxiety with every check; we know there could be dead people inside.”
Rising Public Frustration and Political Tensions
Amid the flood’s devastation, frustration is mounting, with residents blaming government agencies for an inadequate response. A viral video capturing a man stealing shoes while barefoot in muddy waters sparked both outrage and sympathy, as many expressed the view that government support remains insufficient. Spanish police have made 50 arrests as they attempt to secure neighborhoods against looters.
The crisis has underscored stark economic divides. Many of the 3,000 seasonal workers in Huelva, essential to Spain’s agricultural output, live in makeshift homes that have crumbled under the floods. Daiana Iordăchescu, a migrant worker, described the horror of the rains, saying, “I feel like I’m in Noah’s Ark. It’s raining inside my house.” Local nonprofit leader Alfonso Romera urged authorities to shelter these essential workers, emphasizing their importance to the Spanish economy.
Government Under Fire for Response Efforts
The disaster has created a political test for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Spain’s coalition government. Sánchez’s visit to the national meteorological office in Madrid drew mixed reactions, with some observers accusing his government of slow response and blaming centralization of rescue efforts for delays. The military has sent an additional 750 personnel to support national police, civil guards, and other security forces in ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
The nation watches closely as response efforts continue in flood-stricken areas, with hopes that the swift mobilization of resources will stem the rising toll and bring relief to communities across Spain.
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