Spanish royals tour flood-hit region with prime minister as death toll rises

Paul Myers

3 November 2024 at 6:34 am·1-min read

Spain's King Felipe VI (left) joined the country's prime minister Pedro Sanchez (right) on a tour of the flood-devastated region around Valencia.

Spain's king and queen joined the country's prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday on a tour of the Valencia region where floods have killed at least 213 people and left dozens missing.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia's visit was announced as Spain's meteorological agency issued a fresh warning for heavy downpours in the Valencia region.

Up to 100 litres per square metre of water could fall in the province of Castellon and the area surrounding the city of Valencia, the agency forecast.

It also sounded the alarm for torrential rain that may cause flooding in the southern province of Almeria.

Last Tuesday, a year's amount of rain fell in the region around Valencia area over eight hours. Road and rail links were severed in the resulting floods.

Sanchez described the devastation as the worst natural disaster in the country's recent history.

On Saturday, he ordered the deployment of 10,000 extra soldiers and police into the region to help the rescue and clear-up operation. They are due to arrive during Sanchez's tour with the royal couple as well as the Valencia regional leader Carlos Mazon.

Criticism

Early on Sunday, emergency services issued an updated death toll of 213 people. Rescuers say the figure is likely to rise as they find vehicles trapped in tunnels and underground car parks.

Provincial chiefs – including Mazon – have come under fire over the warning systems before the floods. Some stricken residents have complained that the response to the disaster has been too slow.

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