In a decisive move, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has ordered the largest peacetime military deployment in the nation’s history, dispatching 10,000 troops and police officers to assist in the aftermath of catastrophic floods that have claimed at least 211 lives across eastern, southern, and central regions.
During a press conference following an emergency flood crisis committee meeting, Sánchez described the situation as a “tragedy,” particularly affecting the eastern region of Valencia.
He emphasized the urgent need for unity in the face of adversity, calling for an end to political disputes that could hinder recovery efforts.
“There are still dozens of people looking for their loved ones… the government of Spain is with all of them,” he stated.
The prime minister characterized the floods, driven by torrential rains, as “the worst natural disaster in our country’s recent history.”
The government’s response has involved a significant escalation of resources, with Sánchez noting that Spain has already witnessed the largest deployment of armed forces for a civil emergency, performing over 4,800 rescues and aiding more than 30,000 individuals in affected areas.
Thousands volunteer to aid recovery, while military personnel conduct vital search and rescue operations.Despite these efforts, Sánchez acknowledged that assistance has been slow to reach many isolated communities, prompting the deployment of additional military personnel and resources, including amphibious navy boats equipped with medical facilities.
“Our second priority is identifying and recovering the bodies of the dead… military and security personnel have inspected thousands of garages, riverbeds, and roads,” he added.
The recovery operation has also seen a surge of community support, with thousands of volunteers gathering at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia to aid in clean-up efforts.
However, this influx has led to logistical challenges for emergency services.
While power has been restored to 94% of affected households, public frustration remains high regarding the delay in emergency alerts before the floods.
Acknowledging the collective trauma and anger, Sánchez called for collaboration, urging citizens to set aside ideological differences and focus on the recovery efforts, which he deemed crucial in light of increasing climate-related disasters.
As search and rescue operations continue, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
Weather warnings remain in effect for the most severely impacted areas as Spain grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented crisis.