King Charles said he is ‘heartbroken’ by the flash floods in Spain after the death toll passed 200, and spoke of Britain’s ‘strong, personal ties’ to the country
King Charles has said he is ‘heartbroken’ by the devastating floods in Spain in a new message to the country’s Royal Family.
Over 200 people are so far confirmed to have died in the flash floods affecting eastern and southern parts of Spain this week. The death toll is expected to rise further this weekend as authorities continue to search destroyed buildings and vehicles, and more than 2,000 people remain unaccounted for.
In a letter to Spain’s Felipe VI on Saturday, the King wrote: “Your Majesty, My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the destruction and devastation following the catastrophic flooding in Southern and Eastern Spain. So many in the United Kingdom have strong, personal ties to Spain, and our nations are bound by so much that we have in common.
“We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of Spain for the tragic loss of so many lives. Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week. Charles R.”
More rain is forecast in the worst-hit region of Valencia, where the vast majority of the casualties have been found. In the town of Chiva, more rain fell in eight hours than the town had experienced in the preceding 20 months.
Multiple areas of Majorca were meanwhile put into lockdown on Saturday as locals and holidaymakers were warned to prepare for more heavy rain. Public areas including parks, gardens and cemeteries have been cordoned off in preparation for new downpours, and homeless people have also been evacuated from areas of Palma. Spain’s national weather service Aemet warned 120mm of water could fall in around three hours.
Emergency authorities in Spain have confirmed 202 deaths in the eastern part of Valencia so far, with more than 2,000 people still unaccounted for. Approximately 1,700 soldiers are now involved in the search and rescue efforts in the area amid diminishing hopes of finding additional survivors. One of their main tasks has been draining water from submerged tunnels and car parks over fears people may have been trapped there by the sudden surge of floodwater.