‘Unprecedented situation’: Prime Minister warns that ‘devastating’ rains could still cause more deaths

“I am following closely and with concern the information about the missing people and the damage caused” by the storm, wrote Sánchez on the social network X, urging the population to follow the authorities’ recommendations.

Valencia’s emergency services reported on the social network X that “the process of identifying the victims is beginning.” The first assessment carried out by the various bodies and security forces involved in emergency operations indicated a provisional number of 51 fatalities, but the list soon increased.

Torrential rain and strong winds have hit southern and eastern Spain since the beginning of the week, causing flooding in Valencia and the Andalusia region. Some areas of the Valencian administrative community, which brings together the cities of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón, remained without telephone service and electricity this Wednesday.

Some parts of the region were inaccessible due to flooding of the roads, reported the regional president, Carlos Mazón. Rail and air transport systems were also severely affected.

“We reiterate the importance of not traveling by road in the provinces affected by the Valencia region”, insisted Mazón this Wednesday.

There are dozens missing, according to the newspaper El Paíswhich also mentions 150 thousand people without electricity. Some villages remain isolated and residents send requests for help on social media. Many inhabitants of flood zones are trapped on the second floor of their homes, as the lower part remains filled with water.