Spain's prime minister has ordered 5,000 more troops and 5,000 police officers and civil guards to the Valencia region as residents criticise loc

Spain's PM orders 10,000 troops and police to flood-hit Valencia

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2024-11-02 11:00:02

Spain's prime minister has ordered 5,000 more troops and 5,000 police officers and civil guards to the Valencia region as residents criticise local authorities over their response to the catastrophic flooding there.

The death toll on Saturday rose to 211 people, with most fatalities in and around Valencia, Pedro Sánchez announced. The toll is expected to rise further.

Heavy rains that began on Monday caused floods that have destroyed bridges and covered towns with mud, cutting off communities and leaving them without water, food or electricity.

Weather warnings that remain in force in north-eastern and southern Spain are due to last through Sunday, while another has been issued in the Balearic Islands for Saturday.

Around 1,700 soldiers are already working on search and rescue operations in the Valencia region, although hope of finding more survivors is dwindling.

Part of the focus is on pumping water out of underground tunnels and car parks, where it is feared people will have been trapped as water surged in.