Iran Press/ Europe: Authorities in Valencia raised the death toll there to 202 on Friday afternoon, bringing the overall toll to at least 205 in have been the deadliest floods in Spain’s modern history.
The state weather agency Aemet said early on Friday that four regions, including Valencia, remained on amber alert because of the risk of rain and storms, days after rivers of mud-colored water left a trail of devastation.
The flash floods swept away bridges, cars, and streetlights. The number of missing people remains unknown. Thousands more have no access to water or reliable food, while parts of the heaviest-hit areas remain inaccessible. The piles of vehicles and debris have trapped some residents in their homes while others are without electricity or stable phone service.
In some of the hardest-hit areas, residents drew a direct link between the delay and the death toll. “If they had warned us, these deaths would not have happened,” said Laura Villaescusa, a resident of La Torre. “The deaths we have now could have been avoided.”
Thousands of people from unaffected parts of the Valencia region – carrying shovels, food and water – turned up to offer help. Many arrived by foot, often walking several kilometers to reach the devastated areas, with roads across the region remaining blocked.
Death Toll Rises to 158 in Spain’s Worst Floods in Decades
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