Death Toll from Spain’s Floods Rises to 223

The confirmed death toll from last week’s catastrophic floods in Spain has reached 223, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday citing an announcement made by Transport Minister Oscar Puente.

An additional 78 individuals remain missing, with 48 bodies yet to be identified. The floods, triggered by historic rainfall on October 29, particularly devastated the province of Valencia, where rivers overflowed, leading to widespread flooding that caught many residents off guard.

Despite prior warnings from some local mayors, the Valencian government issued an emergency alert only after the worst of the flooding had passed. In response to the disaster, protests are planned to voice frustration over the government’s handling of the crisis.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing, affecting over 75 municipalities and approximately 450,000 hectares of land. Spain’s government has committed €10.6 billion ($11.4 billion) in aid to support recovery efforts. The floods, caused by a prolonged storm system, also impacted other regions, including Cadiz, Barcelona, and Girona, marking one of the most significant natural disasters in recent Spanish history.