The death toll from severe flooding in Valencia, Spain, has climbed to 217, officials reported Sunday, as rescue operations continue across affected cities and towns.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the situation “tragic” in a national address, noting the flood’s scale makes it “the most serious” in Europe this century. He acknowledged that current relief efforts, though extensive, have fallen short. To assist local authorities, the government has deployed 10,000 soldiers and police, who have so far completed 4,800 rescues and aided over 30,000 people trapped by floodwaters.
The flooding, which began last Tuesday, saw Valencia inundated with a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours. Regional President Carlos Mazon stated that 69 municipalities were affected, with collapsed bridges, damaged roads, and towns covered in mud and debris. Mazon described the flooding as “the worst moment” in the region’s history, urging unity to face the unprecedented challenge.
