The Valencian Community is facing its fifth day of crisis after the passage of the DANAwhich has left 202 people dead and many missing in one of the largest natural disasters in Spain’s recent history. The death toll, provided by the authorities, includes 162 autopsies carried out so far, of which only 39 victims have been identified by fingerprints. In the city of Valencia, the number of fatalities is 13, concentrated in the neighborhood of La Torre. The number of missing persons is still not definitive; although some media estimate up to 2,000 people, the lack of communication and the saturation of calls to 112 have made it difficult to update data. Many people have been able to contact relatives as communications are restored, reducing this initial figure. The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska, has raised the figure to 207 and warned: “Unfortunately we are going to have more deaths”.
Road restrictions to facilitate emergencies
The Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI) has established traffic restrictions on the main roads to the most affected municipalities, limiting access exclusively to essential services. From 00:00 hours this Saturday until Sunday at 23:59 hours, only emergency vehicles and those destined to guarantee basic supplies, such as water, energy and food, will be able to transit. The restrictions affect main roads, such as the V-31 and V-30, in stretches of access to Valencia, as well as other minor roads connecting towns such as Albal, Torrent, Xirivella and Picanya.
Solidarity: Thousands of volunteers mobilized
Faced with this devastating situation, thousands of volunteers from the city of Valencia have responded with solidarity. From the Ciutat de les Arts, where they gathered at 7:00, the Generalitat organized the transfer of volunteers in 100 buses to the most needy areas. Early in the morning, the large influx of citizens exceeded the forecasts, which led the authorities to announce that the residents of Valencia will be able to collaborate in the coming days.
