95 fatalities in Spain: Were late warnings to blame?

Spain continues its search for victims and missing persons following a severe storm that caused at least 95 fatalities, predominantly in the Valencia region. Emergency services report thousands stranded, with roads and railways still impassable. As the country enters three days of mourning, debates arise over the effectiveness of weather warnings. Survivors recount harrowing experiences amid extensive flooding, while meteorologists caution that predicting such devastating storms remains challenging. Improvements in weather are anticipated, but residual dangers persist.

Following a catastrophic storm that claimed the lives of at least 95 individuals, rescue efforts in Spain will persist overnight to locate bodies, missing persons, and those isolated from outside help. Iñigo Vila, head of the Spanish Red Cross emergency department, mentioned to RTVE that many operations would need to pause due to nighttime conditions.

Reports indicate that among the deceased are at least four children and six elderly residents from a nursing home, raising concerns that the casualty count might increase. There is no official count of missing persons, and thousands remain in need of assistance, stranded in vehicles and properties.

Impassable Roads

The Valencia region, a popular destination for tourists, has been notably affected, accounting for 92 of the confirmed fatalities. Other Mediterranean areas like Andalusia, Murcia, and Castilla-La Mancha also faced significant impacts. In response, the Spanish government has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday and pledged swift reconstruction aid for the affected areas.

Throughout the night, many highways and rural roads remained blocked, and rail services faced substantial disruptions. Approximately 115,000 households were without electricity, and communication issues persisted.

A spokesperson from the Guardia Civil reported that about 1,200 individuals were still trapped in their vehicles on the A3 and A7 highways, with some refusing to abandon their cars. Around 5,000 vehicles were reported stuck in Valencia, some left abandoned by their drivers.

Many thousands were also trapped in trains, homes, offices, schools, and shopping centers since Tuesday evening. Emergency services, including military and civilian personnel, used helicopters and boats to rescue those who sought refuge on the roofs of vehicles and buildings.

Severe Weather Conditions

The calamity resulted from unprecedented rainfall—some areas received as much precipitation in one day as typically falls in a year. The weather agency Aemet described it as a ‘historic storm,’ marking the worst of its kind in the Valencia region this century.

Roads transformed into torrents almost instantaneously, inundating structures and fields. The force of the water caused roads and bridges to collapse, sweeping away people, vehicles, and debris like mere toys, turning cars into heaps of twisted metal.

Accounts from survivors reveal traumatic experiences. A 57-year-old man recounted to El País how he sought refuge on a construction trailer in Paiporta, near Valencia, attempting to assist others caught in the water. Despite gripping their hands, the overwhelming current separated them, washing them away.

Accountability and Criticism

Even though the full impact of the disaster is still being assessed, discussions regarding accountability have begun. Many are questioning whether authorities should have issued earlier or more effective warnings. Several local leaders have expressed criticism over the situation, noting that the ‘Dana’ weather phenomenon poses serious risks and occurs more frequently in Spain’s southern and eastern regions during the autumn.

Both the regional administration and meteorological experts have defended their actions, stating that such extreme outcomes are challenging to foresee due to various influencing factors. Meteorologist Francisco Martín León affirmed that adequate warnings had been issued across all severity levels.

Thursday is expected to see an improvement in the weather, although severe weather alerts remain in effect for some regions, including parts of Andalusia, Extremadura, and Catalonia. Despite a forecast of reduced rainfall, the authorities are cautioning that the disaster’s repercussions are far from over.

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