Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has said that this week’s flooding in Spain is a tragic indicator of the dangers of climate change, which the bloc must prepare to deal with “with all tools at our disposal”.
Von der Leyen was commenting following the flash floods in Spain that left at least 95 people dead and caused major disruption to infrastructure and services.
‘Dramatic reality’
“What we are seeing is devastating,” von der Leyen told a press conference. “Entire villages are covered with mud. People seeking refuge on trees, and cars swept away by the fury of the waters. Tens of people have lost their lives. Thousands are displaced.”
Europe has activated the Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate the rescue teams on the ground in Spain, she noted, as well as offering to activate its civil protection mechanisms.
“In just a few months, floods have hit Central and Eastern Europe, Italy and now Spain,” von der Leyen continued. “This is the dramatic reality of climate change.” Watch more here.
Extent of the flooding
Spanish authorities have reported at least 95 fatalities as flash floods, swept cars away, closed roads, and disrupted rail services in parts of the affected regions of eastern and southern Spain.
Three days of mourning have been declared, commencing on Thursday, for those who died in the flash floods.
Rain and hailstorms – described as the ‘worst in a generation’ have led to flooding in multiple areas. Emergency services confirmed 70 deaths in the Valencia region, with two additional deaths reported in Castilla La Mancha.
The government has established a crisis committee to deal with the aftermath of the flooding, and over 1,600 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been sent to the affected areas.
“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was quoted as saying. “Our priority is to help you. We are putting all the resources necessary so that we can recover from this tragedy.”
