Latest news Spain's head of government promises further aid to flood-hit areas
Almost three months after the severe storms and flooding in the east and south of Spain, which left more than 230 people dead, the head of government Pedro Sánchez has once again visited the hard-hit Valencia region.
23.01.2025, 15:29
SDA
Following a meeting with the mayors of 28 municipalities that are still badly affected, he admitted that there is still a lot to be done.
"We have only taken the first steps so far," said the 52-year-old in the regional capital of Valencia, referring to the immense destruction caused to houses, schools and the entire infrastructure by the flood waves following heavy rainfall on October 29, 2024 - not to mention the 224 deaths in this region alone.
Thousands of soldiers still deployed
At the same time, he assured that Spain would continue to stand by the Valencians and had already provided 16 billion euros in reconstruction aid and compensation. A visit to the most devastated communities such as Paiporta, where 45 people died, was not on the agenda this time.
At the beginning of November, in the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia as well as Valencia's head of government Carlos Mazón, Sánchez was abused by angry people and even had mud thrown at him.
Many are angry about what they see as the regional government's late storm warning and the fact that the rescue services arrived too late. According to the delegate of the Spanish government in Valencia, Pilar Bernabé, around 4,000 soldiers from the military emergency unit (UME) and the other armed forces are still being deployed with the appropriate equipment for the clean-up work.
Many stores, schools and even police stations are closed in some places due to the water damage.
