Death toll from Spain flood reaches 220, 80 missing

KABUL (Pajhwok): Recent flash floods in Spain killed over 220 people while 80 others are still missing, reports said on Monday.

The floods had filled the streets of Valencia region in the eastern part of the country 12 days, destroying thousands of residential houses.

According to Reuters, most of the casualties occurred in 14 cities that had already been identified by Spain’s Ministry of Environment as high-risk areas.

About 1,700 security personnel are currently conducting search and rescue operations in Valencia, with the Spanish prime minister ordering the dispatch of 10,000 military forces to the region.

Simultaneously, thousands of people poured onto the streets to protest against the government’s response to the disaster.

The flooding has been described as the deadliest one in a European country in the past century.

Spain witnessed heavy rainfall in the autumn, drought and extreme heat, which scientists have linked to climate change.

aw/mud