The deadliest flash floods in Spain's modern history have killed at least 211 people and dozens were still unaccounted for, four days after torrential rains swept the eastern region of Valencia.

Valencia

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Spain is currently engaged in its largest peacetime disaster recovery operation following the deadliest flash floods in its modern history. At least 211 people have lost their lives, and numerous others are still unaccounted for in the eastern region of Valencia, where torrential rains have wreaked havoc. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed that the death toll is likely to increase as search and recovery efforts continue.

The tragic flooding surpasses fatality numbers from past European floods, making it the worst flood-related disaster in Europe since at least 500 people were killed in Portugal in 1967. Volunteers and regional authorities are working together on a coordinated clean-up at Valencia's City of Arts and Science Centre, which has been transformed into a hub for disaster recovery operations. Meanwhile, a weather alert has been issued for further storms in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Valencia.

Meteorologists attribute the increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as these torrential rains, to climate change. The warming of the Mediterranean is considered a significant factor in the severity of these weather phenomena, as it increases water evaporation, potentially leading to more intense rainfall.



Spain mounts biggest peacetime disaster recovery operation

Four days after torrential rains swept the eastern region of Valencia, the death toll from Spain's deadliest flash floods continues to rise. And with dozens of people still unaccounted for, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Saturday that it will likely increase further. The situation we are living in is tragic. It is dramatic. We are almost certainly talking about the most serious flooding our continent has seen so far this century. And I am aware that the response that is being given is not enough. Sánchez said the number of people killed has now passed 209. That was the number killed in floods in Romania in 1970. Spain's tragedy is now Europe's worst flood-related disaster since at least 500 people died in Portugal in 1967. Meanwhile, volunteers flocked to Valencia's City of Arts and Science Centre for the first coordinated clean-up organised by regional authorities. The venue has been turned into a nerve centre for the operation. The storm triggered a new weather alert in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia, where rains are expected to continue during the weekend. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in Europe and elsewhere due to climate change. Meteorologists think the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.

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Minneapolis

Pro and anti-ICE protesters clash in Minneapolis

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Tehran

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Nuuk

Greenland Stand-Off

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Copenhagen

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Global Tariffs

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Kampala

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Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

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Washington

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Cape Canaveral

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Seoul

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Kyiv

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California

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Sikhio District

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