Spain floods kill more than 200 people after towns are devastated
Residents are reeling after catastrophic flash floods devastated the Valencia region in Spain, killing more than 200 people.
Cars were swept away, roads flooded and towns cut off after worst flooding in a decade hit the eastern Mediterranean coastal region last week.
Shocking footage shows streets covered in mud and deluge as residents and rescuers try to clear their neighbourhoods while coming to terms with the loss of life as the death toll continues to climb.
Many survivors are criticising the relief from the government, saying the response has been too slow and they have been left to fend for themselves.
Firefighters feared finding a mass grave after pictures emerged showing a flooded underground shopping centre car park. Authorities warned that the death toll is likely to rise.
A woman survived after being trapped in a car underwater for three days beside her dead sister-in-law after other cars piled on top of hers.
Rescue efforts are now underway after the torrential rain eased and thousands of soldiers have been deployed.
But an angry resident in Sedavi, Estrella Caceres, 66, told AFP: ‘Thank you to the people who have come to help us, to all of them, because from the authorities, nothing.’
There were reportedly no soldiers present while the residents cleared mud from their homes and firefighters pumped water from garages and tunnels.
Another survivor told Sky News: ‘Tell the world that we have nothing.’
It comes after the Valencia region authorities limited access to roads for two days to allow emergency services to carry out search, rescue and logistics operations, telling people to stay at home to avoid congestion.
But for many, the grassroots initiatives have been a lifeline – especially as homes were cut off from electricity and telephone networks severely damaged.
Residents took food, water and cleaning equipment to help with the recovery.
A convoy of around 1,000 people was seen leaving from Valencia carrying equipment towards the nearby towns.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said restoring order and distributing aid to towns and villages is a priority.
He said in response to criticism that the efforts were too slow: ‘I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages… towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives… we have to improve.’
He said electricity had been restored to 94% of homes while around half of the damaged telephone lines have been repaired.
Mario Silvestre, a resident in his 80s in the destroyed town of Chiva, also said ‘there’s nothing left.’
He told the news agency: ‘Politicians promise a lot. Help will come when it comes.’
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