VALENCIA: Spain commemorated Wednesday the anniversary of last year’s massive floods that killed over 230 people with a national memorial ceremony led by King Felipe VI.
The Spanish King spoke along with three family members of victims who lost their lives when torrential rains flooded large parts of eastern Spain on the evening of Oct. 29, 2024.
The downpour quickly filled normally dry gorges and riverbeds. Rushing waters overflowed their banks, sweeping away cars and destroying homes. There are 237 confirmed deaths, with 229 victims from the eastern Valencia region, according to the central government.
It was one of Europe’s worst natural disasters in living memory. Experts and the government said it was a sign of the dangers of climate change that is driving extreme weather events around the world.
The ceremony was held at a public museum in Valencia city, whose southern neighborhoods and adjoining towns were devastated. Cleanup efforts initially led by thousands of residents and volunteers took weeks to scoop up the layers of mud and debris.
