Spain: 89 Remain Missing After Deadly Floods Last Week

At least 89 people remain unaccounted for after deadly floods devastated eastern Spain last week, severe flooding, according to Valencia’s regional judicial authorities.

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has allocated 10.6 billion euros in aid for those impacted by the disaster. The government aid package includes 838 million euros in direct cash for small businesses and freelancers and 5 billion euros in state-backed loans. The national government will cover 100% of clean-up costs for local governments and half of infrastructure repairs.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia walk along a muddy street as they arrive to visit the areas affected by the DANA, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain November 3, 2024. Casa de S.M. el Rey/Jose Jimenez/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

The reported number of missing individuals includes only those whose families have filed reports, provided identifying information, and submitted biological samples to aid identification, the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencia Region stated. More cases could exist of people who disappeared but have not yet been officially reported.

Last week’s torrential rains caused rivers to overflow, resulting in flash floods that devastated areas south of Valencia, destroying cars, bridges, properties, and even underground parking structures. Sanchez highlighted ongoing needs: “There are still missing people, destroyed homes and businesses, and many facing severe shortages,” he stated in Madrid.

A toy is pictured amidst mud in the aftermath of floods caused by heavy rains, as over 80 people are missing, the regional judicial authorities in Valencia said, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

According to Network of Road Assistance Companies (REAC) coordinator Sonia Luque, the floods damaged over 100,000 vehicles, and business losses are estimated to exceed 10 billion euros.

The floods have left 217 confirmed dead across the regions of Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia. The Valencia court reported that coroners have conducted 195 autopsies, with 62 bodies awaiting identification. Spain’s national guard has asked families of missing individuals to submit DNA samples for body identification.

Search and rescue team members look for bodies, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Chiva, Spain, November 2, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) research vessel equipped with specialized imaging technology is set to arrive in Valencia on Friday to assist search efforts, especially in areas difficult to access, the Science Ministry announced. It is believed that some missing persons may have been swept out to sea.