In an inspiring show of solidarity, thousands of Valencia residents are trekking miles on foot to deliver much-needed assistance to villages devastated by the recent DANA floods that swept through the province on Monday, claiming over 200 lives. Starting early in the morning, these determined individuals set out on foot—since roads are impassable for vehicles—bringing essential supplies such as food, water, shovels, brooms, and other tools necessary for cleaning areas still submerged in water and mud.
As the saying goes, "sols el poble salva al poble" ("only the people save the people"), and this sentiment was echoed by Gente de España on Facebook, showcasing videos of people crossing the Turia river to provide aid or help clean up the disaster left by DANA.
Abandonment by the Government
The Spanish government has been criticized for neglecting the affected villages. Four days post-tragedy, residents remain without basic necessities such as water, electricity, food, and medicine. Social media and news outlets have been flooded with videos depicting long lines of individuals marching towards the afflicted areas.
Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Threat
On Friday morning, authorities reported a death toll of 202 in the Valencian Community, with three additional fatalities in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía. This is a significant increase from Thursday’s count of 155, as ongoing recovery efforts reveal more victims beneath the debris and within homes devastated by the torrential rains and floods.
Officials have warned that the Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) continues to pose a threat, with heavy rains persisting in the Valencian Community and western Andalucía.