Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has mobilized an additional 5,000 troops to assist in relief efforts following the catastrophic floods that ravaged the country this week, resulting in at least 211 fatalities across the eastern, southern, and central regions.
After chairing a crisis committee meeting, Sanchez emphasized that the government is utilizing every available resource to address the “terrible tragedy” inflicted by the floods, which hit Valencia especially hard, as reported by The Guardian.
Sanchez also acknowledged delays in aid distribution due to flooded, mud-clogged roads, urging unity and an end to political disputes. He expressed sympathy for those still searching for loved ones and the many households mourning relatives, friends, or neighbors.
The devastating floods mark Europe’s deadliest since 1967, when over 500 people perished in Portugal. Given the unprecedented scale of the disaster, Sanchez highlighted Spain’s largest-ever peacetime deployment of armed forces and police, with 4,800 rescues completed and assistance provided to over 30,000 individuals across homes, roads, and industrial zones.
The additional troops were dispatched to expedite rescue and aid efforts hampered by obstructed routes. In Valencia, thousands of volunteers gathered at the City of Arts and Sciences center, which has become the main hub for cleanup operations. However, the influx of volunteers created congestion, prompting authorities to establish a coordinated deployment plan to support emergency crews.
