In response to the devastating floods caused by the DANA (Isolated Depression in High Levels), the Spanish government has declared a three-day period of national mourning. The disaster has claimed at least 72 lives, according to the most recent reports, and the number is expected to rise, marking it as the third deadliest natural disaster in Spain's history.
Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister of Territorial Policy, announced the mourning period and urged residents in affected areas to remain indoors and avoid using roads, many of which are impassable and flooded. His statement was delivered following the initial assessment from the Crisis Committee convened at Moncloa, during a press conference.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit Valencia on Friday as government rescue efforts intensify. In an official statement, Sánchez described this DANA as the "worst" in recent years, extending condolences to the families of the deceased. "Our hearts are with you. Our priority is to aid you, and we are working in unison to deploy all necessary resources for recovery. You are not alone," he assured.
Comprehensive State Support Promised
Sánchez pledged to utilize "all state resources, and if needed, those of the European Union," to "rebuild homes and lives." He promised, "We will rebuild your streets, bridges... Spain stands with you."
The DANA has primarily impacted the Community of Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha, with reports of flooding also emerging from parts of Andalusia. The situation remains dire, with dozens still missing, notably in Valencia, Letur, and Cuenca. The Valencian government has set up a hotline, 900365112, for inquiries about missing persons.
Rescue operations have continued throughout the night and into the morning, with emergency teams facing difficulties due to numerous road collapses and telecommunications failures. José Miguel Basset, head of the provincial fire consortium for Valencia, confirmed that several hundred individuals are still stranded on highways A-3 and A-5, with access to affected areas severely restricted.
Emergency Response and Community Impact
In light of the emergency's scale, a crisis committee has been established, and Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Government, called an early morning meeting to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. The aftermath of the DANA has left a trail of destruction: vehicles swept away by torrents, destroyed bridges, extreme rescue conditions, and damages estimated in the millions of euros. Social media is awash with images of people seeking refuge on higher ground from the floods.
The State Meteorological Agency described the situation as "exceptional," comparing it to the historic storms of 1987 and 1982, reminiscent of the devastating "Pantanada de Tous." The 24-hour rainfall accumulation reached 445.4 l/m², the highest recorded in the Valencian Community since 1966, according to AEMET's preliminary report on social media platform X.
The Military Emergencies Unit (UME) has deployed over 1,000 personnel in Valencia province to assist with rescue and evacuation operations. The Institute of Legal Medicine in Valencia has mobilized nine forensic teams to conduct identifications and recover bodies at the disaster sites. The deceased will be taken to the City of Justice in Valencia, where a space has been prepared for receiving and performing autopsies.