Death toll rises to at least 95 in Spain's floods

At least 95 people have lost their lives in what is being described as possibly the deadliest flooding in Spain's modern history.

Torrential rain battered the eastern region of Valencia, leading to devastating consequences as bridges collapsed, buildings were swept away, and entire communities were submerged.

Meteorologists reported that parts of Valencia experienced a year's worth of rain in just eight hours on Tuesday.

The resulting floods caused chaos on highways, with pile-ups occurring and farmland inundated in a region that produces two-thirds of Spain's citrus fruit, a key export for the country.

Residents in the most affected areas shared harrowing accounts of their experiences.

Denis Hlavaty, who sought refuge at a petrol station, described the scene: "It's a river that came through. The doors were torn away, and I spent the night surrounded by water that was 2 meters deep."

In response to the disaster, Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced that a military rescue unit would begin searching through the debris with sniffer dogs on Thursday.

She expressed concern that the death toll could rise, stating, "Unfortunately, we are not optimistic." Rescue teams have brought 50 mobile morgues to assist in the recovery efforts.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the nation, promising to rebuild the infrastructure that has been destroyed. "For those who are still looking for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you," he said in a televised address.

The heavy rains led to the cancellation of train services to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, while schools and essential services in the worst-hit areas were suspended.

The power company i-DE reported that approximately 150,000 clients in Valencia were left without electricity. Emergency services continue to urge citizens to avoid road travel and follow official guidance.

The flooding has also affected other regions, including Andalusia, where residents described the loss of animals and property. "The floodwaters took away lots of dogs, lots of horses; they took away everything," said Antonio Carmona, a resident of Alora.

This marks the worst flooding event in Europe since at least 2021, when severe floods in Germany claimed 185 lives. 

As recovery efforts continue, Spain faces a long road ahead in rebuilding communities and addressing the impacts of climate change.